Samuel Hill, plain Quaker and international character, to the end of his life was one of the most charming, virile, and dynamic men that one may meet. Sam was intensely patriotic, a deep lover of his country and tender to and towards all humankind. He wanted to do rather than to have things done for him. Serving was his crowning passion.
Born in 1857 in North Carolina on a farm, his father being a country doctor. He received a law degree from Harvard and built up a profitable practice. Mr. Hill could have easily been elected to public office, but he declined all political honors.
He married the elder daughter of the Empire Builder's family and entered the employment of the Great Northern Railroad System, becoming president. Understanding the plight of the farmer for getting their produce to market on an appalling road system, he decided he needed to pursue his passion for good roads.
Moving to Seattle, Mr. Hill preached good roads to everyone he met who would listen. He decided to organize in Washington a State body to promote good roads: and founded Washington State Good Roads Association at a State convention in Spokane on September 14th, 1899.
Mr. Hill died in 1931 at age 74. Fortunate indeed are we all, to have had a leader like Sam Hill, as we all share in his legacies.
Samuel Hill's biography courtesy:
The Washington State Good Roads Association.
Samuel Hill had many legacies in Washington State and British Columbia including:
Maryhill Museum of Art
Stonehenge
International Peace Arch
Peace Portal Golf Course
To learn more about Samuel Hill visit the Maryhill Museum of Art in Goldendale, WA
