No family has been more widely known in Miami county than the Hill family, and he whose name introduces this review was one of its worthy representatives. He was born August 19, 1825, in Newton township, his parents having made the first settlement there. His father, John Hill, was a native of Maryland, and emigrated to Ohio about the year 1803, locating on Stillwater creek, south of Pleasant Hill, in Newton township. He served during the war of 1812 as a captain at Fort Greenville. His father, Thomas Hill, was of English descent, and married a Miss Williams. After a settlement was made in Miami county representatives of the name took an active part in reclaiming the wild land for purposes of civilization and in aiding in the progress and upbuilding of this section of the state.

Amid the wild scenes of the frontier Samuel Hill was reared, and after attaining his majority he was married, on the 12th of September, 1844, to Miss Elizabeth Weaver, whose birth occurred in Petersburg, Highland county, January 4, 1826. When three years of age her father, Henry Weaver, and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Susan Winters, located with their family near West Milton, on a tract of land inherited by the latter. The country was wild and the work of improvement seemed scarcely begun in this section of the state, but the father made a clearing and soon built a house of logs which in those days were considered a very fine residence, for it had two doors, other cabins having but one. It contained but one room, which, however, was very large, one end of it being occupied by three beds. Over these on poles hung the family washing. Later Henry Weaver sold that farm and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land near Gettysburg, Darke county, and to this was added an adjoining farm which was given him by his father. He operated a large sugar camp on his farm and in this the children were employed, making sugar and molasses. Mrs. Hill was married when nineteen years of age. She was a very popular young lady and the Weaver home was the scene of many social gatherings which were attended by the lads and lassies for miles around. The cabin also served as a house of worship, in which religious services were held before churches were built in the neighborhood.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hill remained upon their farm until 1878, when they traded it for property in Covington, and a year later established a home there, Mr. Hill being a successful hotel-keeper of the town for twenty years. His business and executive ability won him prosperity, and his genial manner made him a popular host and won the warm friendship of many of his guests. He formed a very wide acquaintance and enjoyed the respect of all who knew him. His death occurred December 22, 1892, after which his wife conducted the hotel until October, 1899, when she rented the property to Doctor Gaines. She displayed excellent business qualities, and although now well advanced in years she is a bright, active and energetic lady and an entertaining conversationalist.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hill were born the following children: Susan, wife of Captain C. R. Maus; Elijah W., who was born January 31, 1848; Thomas E., who married Miss Cole; Nancy Belle, wife of Captain S. D. Palmer, the present mayor of Covington; Sarah, who died at the age of six years; and Mary, wife of John J. Mohler. Of this family Elijah W. is a resident of Covington. He learned the trade of a harness-maker at Gettysburg, followed farming for a time, and was engaged in merchandising in Shelby county, Ohio. He was married September 2, 1872, to Josephine Flomerfelt, of Darke county, and they became the parents of six children: Musella, wife of W. A. Reed, of Piqua; Daisy, who died at the age of six years; Grace G.; Herbert H., Eva, Ethel and Leslia L., at home.

The father of this family is now engaged in the manufacture of medicines in Covington. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the F. & A. M., the Knights of Pythias fraternity, Knights of the Golden Eagle and the Sons of Veterans' association, and in politics he is a stanch Democrat. Such in brief is the history of the Hill family, a family well worthy of representation in the annals of Miami county.