Sunday, May 31, 2015

On This Date in Minnesota History: May 31

May 31, 1916 – Simplicity that marked the life of James J. Hill was the dominant feature of his funeral today. The well-known railroad executive passed away on May 29.

Democracy of the deceased rail magnate is shown in his selection of Charles Maitland, for 30 years Hill’s favorite coachman, as one of his pallbearers. Maitland, whose financial success has made him a close friend and associate of the Hill family, acted with R. Brown, for many years Hill’s private secretary; Ralph Budd, assistant to the president of the Great Northern; J. M. Gruber, operating vice president of the Great Northern; W. P. Kennedy, traffic vice president; John J. Toemey, Hill’s confidential business agent; P. L. Rowe, Minneapolis; Charles W. Gordon, George A. MacPherson and Theodore Schultz, St. Paul, merchants and personal friends.

All trains of the Great Northern, Northern Pacific and Burlington lines, which Hill controlled, stopped still from 2 to 2:05 this afternoon. Funeral services were held at the house at 2 p.m. today. Rev. Thomas J. Gibbons, vicar general, diocese of St. Paul, Roman Catholic, officiated. Great Northern veteran employees, some of whom Hill rode with in engine cabs, were the only persons outside Hill’s immediate family circle, allowed to view the remains. Burial was at Hill’s farm, North Oaks. 
(Eventually, his grave was moved to Resurrection Cemetery in St. Paul.*)

Soon after the news of Hill’s death was flashed over the country, telegrams from every quarter of the nation began pouring in upon the Hill family. These continued today. While telegraph companies put on extra operators, the Hill family today assigned three secretaries to receive and file these messages.


The Bemidji Daily Pioneer
; “Simplicity Is Feature Of The Burial Of Hill. Remains of ‘Empire Builder’ Placed at Rest at North Oaks Farm. All Trains Stop For Five Minutes. Favorite Coachman is a Pallbearer; Hill Was Active Until His Death.”; May 31, 1916; P.1.

* http://forgottenminnesota.com/2014/10/james-j-hills-north-oaks-farm/




James J. Hill's funeral on his North Oaks farm


http://forgottenminnesota.com/2014/10/james-j-hills-north-oaks-farm/

               __________________________________________________________

If you are interested in finding out more about your family history in Minnesota, I specialize in researching  genealogical and historical records in Minn. and western Wis., including:
census records,  birth records,  death certificates, obits, grave site photos, ship passenger lists, marriage records and declarations of intent/naturalization records.  I will visit locations to research local history and county records, as well as take photos. Quick turnaround on MHS records.  Both short searches and family history reports.

Website: 
TheMemoryQuilt.com ®  click on Family History

Contact me at:
pjefamilyresearch@gmail.com  

 


No comments:

Post a Comment