Harry Hill (1878 - 1948)

Born 18 Dec 1878 in Albany, New York, United States

Died 13 Oct 1948 at age 69 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

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Biography

Harry Hill is a part of US Black heritage.

Census returns record the family variously as Black, Mulatto, or white. Some members appear to have done what many others also did - moved away from their birthplace and from then on passed themselves as white.

Harry Hill (also known sometimes as Henry Hill) was born on the 18th December 1878, in Albany, New York, United States, the son of Henry Hill and Mary Butler.

On their application for a marriage license on the 4th October 1909, in Hennepin County, Minnesota, Harry's name is given as "Henry", and his intended bride's name as "Ethelyn White". No other records show for her as last name "White", and this was her first marriage, so it's not a previous married name.^[1]

When Harry aka Henry and Ethel Celinda Holt (aka Ethelyn White), daughter of Minnesota-born Guy T Holt and Swedish-born Hilda Lindahl, were married on the 4th October 1909, the reverend A B Marshall, a minister of the Gospel, officiated; and Mrs R G Seiter, and Miss Grace Seiter were the witnesses.^[2] Over the next eighteen years Harry and Ethel were to have nine known children, six daughters, and three sons:

1. Theodore Fredrick (1910–1983)
2. Walter Raymond (1911–1982)
3. Robert Richard (1912–1971)
4. Alice Mary (1915–1991 (Carter))
5. Marguerite Evelyn (1918–1991 (Eason))
6. Dorothy Mae (1920–1994 (Henderson))
7. Ruth Mary (1922–1986 (Bell))
8. Betty Jane (1924–1981 (Strawder))
9. Joyce Arlene (1927–1998 (Williams))

On the 20th April 1910, Harry (33), a porter in a barber shop, living at 879 Eleventh Avenue South, Minneapolis, with his 25-year-old wife, Ethel (name shown as Ethelwyn).^[3]

When he registered for the draft on the 12th September 1918, Harry's description was of medium height, stout build, dark gray hair, and dark brown eyes. His date of birth was stated as 18 Dec 1878, his race as white, and his nearest relative as Ethel Hill.^[4]

On the 26th/27th January 1920, Harry (41), a helper in a barber shop, was living with his family at 716 East 14th Street, Minneapolis. Home with him at the time were his wife: Ethel (37); and their children: 9-year-old Theodore, 8-year-old Walter, 6-year-old Robert, 4-year-old Alice, and the baby: 1-year-old Marguerite.^[5]

Harry was employed as a janitor.

On the 9th April 1930, Harry (58), a janitor at a barber shop, was living at 1217 Eighth Avenue North, Minneapolis, with his family. Others home at the time were his wife: Ethel (44); and their children: Robert (17), a mattress renovator; Marguerite (12); Dorothy (10); Ruth (8); Betty (5); and Joyce (2).^[6] Walter (18) was living elsewhere, employed as a waiter / kitchen worker in the Minnesota State Reformatory, St Cloud; and Theodore (his name originally enumerated with the family and later crossed out) was likely already living in California, where he later married, and raised a family.

No record of a divorcement has been found, but around 1937 Ethel was married to a Walter Grieder, and Harry was married to Irish-born Bridget, widow of Grant Ramey, about 1935.

On the 15th April 1940, Harry, now 63 years old and with no occupation listed, was living at 256 North Bryant Avenue, Minneapolis, with his family. Those home at the time were his wife: Bridget (74); and two of his children:18-year-old Ruth; and 13-year-old Joyce.^[7]

When he registered for the draft on the 26th April 1942, Harry's particulars were given as – 64 years of age, race: negro, 5ft 3-inches tall, weight of 200 lbs, gray hair, black eyes, and black of complexion. It was noted that he had some scars on his right hand; and the person listed as "always knowing his address" was Dr W. D. Brown.^[8]

In September 1945, Harry's wife, Bridget, died aged 78 years.

Harry Hill (also sometimes known as Henry Hill) passed away on the13th October 1948, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, just two months five days before his 70th birthday.^[9]

Research Notes

I am not 100% convinced that "Ethelyn White" and "Ethel Celinda Holt" are the same person, but nothing has been found to say it was not so, other than son Theodore's birth record stating mother's maiden name was Ethelyn", and son Walter's birth and death records stating his mother's last name was "White", not "Holt". It is possible that Ethel was married before Harry, and there just are no records to be found.
The Ethleen White, daughter of William Edwin White and Cleora Hurt, born in December 1884 seems to have also been known as Helen, and to have married an Olin Venable. She was also resident in her family's home in 1910, at the same time Harry and wife "Ethelwyn" were enumerated together. Paul-5413 19:42, 4 July 2021 (UTC)

Sources

1. ↑ Application for Marriage License — "Minnesota, County Marriages, 1860-1949", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VKNT-B1L : 9 March 2021), Henry Hill and Ethelyn White, 1909.
2. ↑ Certificate of Marriage — "Minnesota, County Marriages, 1860-1949", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJGB-S3JW : 9 March 2021), Henry Hill and Ethelyn White, 1909.
3. ↑ "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M2GD-2H6 : accessed 3 July 2021), Harry Hill, Minneapolis Ward 11, Hennepin, Minnesota, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 181, sheet 8A, family 111, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 705; FHL microfilm 1,374,718.
4. ↑ WWI Draft Registration — United States, Selective Service System. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration: M1509, 4,582 rolls. Imaged from Family History Library microfilm. Name: Harry Hill; Race: White; Birth Date: 18 Dec 1878; Residence Date: 1917-1918; Street Address: 1411 - 11 Ave So.; Residence Place: Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota, USA; Draft Board: 11; Physical Build: Stout; Height: Medium; Hair Color: Dark Gray; Eye Color: Dark Brown; Relative: Ethel Hill
5. ↑ "United States Census, 1920", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MWYJ-4BR : 2 February 2021), Harry Hill, 1920.
6. ↑ "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X3Z6-2LW : accessed 3 July 2021), Harry Hill, Minneapolis (Districts 1-250), Hennepin, Minnesota, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 50, sheet 11B, line 78, family 182, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 1090; FHL microfilm 2,340,825.
7. ↑ "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KSVY-251 : 7 January 2021), Harry Hill, Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 89-80, sheet 12A, line 23, family 331, Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 1978.
8. ↑ WWII Drat Registration — United States, Selective Service System. Selective Service Registration Cards, World War II: Fourth Registration. National Archives and Records Administration, St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; World War II Draft Cards (Fourth Registration) for the State of Minnesota; Record Group Title: Records of the Selective Service System; Record Group Number: 147; Box or Roll Number: 558. Name: Harry Hill; Gender: Male; Registration Age: 64; Birth Date: 18 Dec 1878; Birth Place: Albany, New York, USA; Residence Place: Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Registration Date: abt 1942; Military Draft Date: 1942; Relationship to Draftee: Head; Race: negro; Height: 5 3; Eye Color: Black; Hair Color: Gray; Weight: 200; Complexion: Black
9. ↑ Death — "Minnesota Deaths, 1887-2001," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HWWR-ZYMM : 8 April 2020), Harry Hill, 13 Oct 1948; citing Death, Minnesota State Department of Health, St. Paul. Certificate Number: 22892

• BDM registrations, census data.