History of james j hill

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Who Was James J. Hill?

James J. Hill was a railroad executive who came from an impoverished childhood to found his own company in He would eventually helm the Great Northern Railway Company, which was responsible for huge railroad expansions in the U.S.

Northwest. Hill would acquire other companies, though he faced legal action as the result of violating antitrust laws.

Early Life

Hill was born on September 16, , near what is now Guelph, Ontario. His father was sporadically employed as a hired hand on farms but Hill was able to get good schooling in his youth at Rockwood Academy, where the headmaster waived the tuition.

The death of his father when he was 14 meant Hill had to leave school to work while his mother ran an inn.

History of james j hill house

He secured work with a grocer while studying with the Rev. William Wetherald, who taught Hill mathematics and English. His aptitude for algebra and geometry would serve him well in his later career.

Determined to be an animal trapper