Hills - Darwin F.
Source: H. W. Beckwith, 1881 History of Montgomery County, Indiana
(Chicago: Beers) p 264
HILLS, Darwin F., wool manufacturer, Crawfordsville, was b. in
Hartford, Conn. Dec 6, 1806. His father, James H. Hills, was a
successful physician. He wanted to go to the War of 1812, but his
fellow citizens petitioned him to remain at home, because his
medical services were needed but Gen. Hull, the patriot and
coward, surrendered, the Dr. could stay at home no longer so he
went to the army. The subject of this sketch had the meager
advantages afforded by the common schools of his day. At 16 he
began an apprenticeship of four years in a woolen manufactory.
After this he went in partnership with a man in Green Co, Ohio.
In 1834 he went to Union Co, In in 1842 to Richmond, IN in 1844
back to Greene Co, Ohio and in the spring of 1852 Crawfordsville,
where he has ever since been engaged in the woolen business. He
began life without anything, and has been quite successful. He
was first a whig, is now a republican and has been an elder in
the Presbyterian Church 35 years. Mr. H. was marr. Nov 1828, to
Sarah ANDERSON, who was b. Jan 1, 1804 and is a member of the
Presby. Church. They have 8 children living: Edwin H Darwin F
Henry H Richard M Oscar A David A Francis E. and Beulah I. The
latter is a grad. of Glendale Seminary and has taught school 2
years. Oscar grad. in the classical course of Wabash College and
from Alleghany Seminary, Pa where he is now preaching in the Old
South Church. David and Francis enlisted in 1861 in Co. I, 11th
Ind Vols of which David was made Capt. They served to the close
of the war, and were in many battles and did good service for the
Union. --typed by kbz