John G. Hill

John G. Hill, one of the most prominent men of Ventura, who by his intelligence and ability stepped to the front in the ranch and stock-producing interests of this county, is a fine illustration of what can be done in a country so wonderfully fertile. His birth occurred in Paris, Monroe County, Missouri, March 14, 1845. His father, James Hill, was a native of Kentucky, as were also his ancestry, as far back as it can be traced. His mother, nee Nancy Gray, was also born in Kentucky, of parents whose ancestors were also Kentuckians.

    Mr. Hill, the subject of this sketch, was the fourth child of ten children. The family crossed the plains to California in 1852, settling in Napa County, where the senior Hill bought a ranch of 160 acres, and afterward added to it by purchase 1,400 acres. On this ranch Mr. Hill acquired his knowledge and experience in farming, which has proved to be of so much value to him and his brothers in the production of the finest horses in the State, if not in the world. Mr. Ben Hill, the noted horse man in California residing at El Cajon, is one of the brothers. In 1866 he began farming upon his own account, on his father's ranch, and after two years' work he removed to Ventura, in 1868, and bought part of the Colonia grant, 630 acres. On this property Mr. Hill has built one of the finest houses in Ventura County, planted orchards of fruit trees and groves of ornamental trees, and has made a delightful home. He is also raising fine thoroughbred Berkshire hogs, Durham cattle, etc., and he now has 150 head of blooded colts, of the Richmond, Wild Idler, Joe Daniels, and Reveille strains. His young horses are not only of the best blood now in the county, but by his management they are the best developed specimens of their kind. Every lover of the horse is filled with admiration at the sight of his stock. In connection with Mr. Chrisman as partner, Mr. Hill is owner of several other fine places. At Montalvo they have a town site of 350 acres, fifty acres of land near Santa Paula, 108 acres sown to alfalfa on the Colonia grant, four-fifths of 260 acres planted in walnuts, one-third interest in 842 acres rented and sown to barley, and four-tenths of the Ventura waterworks. Mr. Hill stands high as a business man and gentleman in his county. He has witnessed and aided in the development of his locality; is an enthusiast as regards the fertility of the soil, and he really has good reasons to expect most lavish returns for his investments.

    He was married, in 1866, to Miss Aranetta Rice, of Contra Costa County, and they have two sons, Ernest R. and Ralph N., both born in Ventura County. Mrs. Hill is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

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