Submitted by: Kathy Miller Sarchet

Joseph W. Hill was born August 11, 1856 in Clark County, Arkansas to George R. Hill and Mary Frances Bailey Wood Hill. George R. Hill and his family came to what is now Camp County in 1865 (at that time Camp County was part of Upshur County). Joseph’s mother Mary Frances died in 1866 and George Hill soon married Mrs. Elizabeth Jane Tabb Burgess, a widow with one daughter. Joseph grew up in Pittsburg, surrounded by numerous siblings and extended family members. As a young adult he returned to Georgia, where he had many relatives, studied law and opened a practice in Harmony Grove, Jackson County, Georgia (Harmony Grove is now known as Commerce). Here he met and later married Savannah Rebecca Deadwyler on April 27, 1881.

Joseph W. and Savannah Deadwyler Hill were parents of the following children:

1. George Herrin Hill born March 14, 1882 in Banks Co, GA, died June 13, 1947 in McKinney, TX

2. Alton Robert Hill born March 18, 1884 in Georgia, died April 30, 1949 in Pittsburg, TX

3. Martha Lou “Mattie” Hill born 28 April 1886 in Atlanta, GA and died July 5, 1943 in DeQueen, AR (paternal grandmother of this author)

4. Ralph Joseph Hill born July 10, 1889 in Jefferson, Jackson Co, GA and died November 22, 1918 in Amarillo, TX

5. Ruby Hill born November 20, 1892 in Jefferson, Jackson Co, GA and died August 27, 1958 in Iuka, MS

6. Mabel Claire Hill born April 20, 1894 in Pittsburg, TX and died June 30, 1929 also in Pittsburg

7. Oscar Clarence Hill born August 28, 1896 in Pittsburg, TX and died January 16, 1961 in Dallas, TX

The family remained in Georgia until sometime in 1892, when the decision was made to return to Pittsburg. Handwritten letters on the letterhead of HILL and EDDINS, reveal that Joseph W. Hill was practicing law in Pittsburg by the fall of 1892 with John Beauregard Eddins and continued to do so at least through 1893. The original letters are in the possession of Kathie Miller Sarchet, author of this biography and great-granddaughter of Joseph W. Hill.

Mr. Hill later practiced with Tom Debenport, Attorney at Law and ran a successful Real Estate and Loan business. Like other members of the Hill family Joseph was active in local civic affairs serving as Mayor of Pittsburg for the years 1904-1905, Secretary of the Commerce Club, City of Pittsburg Tax Collector in 1906 and he was instrumental in helping to organize the Northeast Texas County Fair. Joseph Hill worked tirelessly while serving as the Northeast Texas Fair Secretary and Manager for many years, always promoting the virtues of Pittsburg and Camp County. The Pittsburg Gazette Newspaper contains numerous articles penned by Mr. Hill ranging from potatoes to politics; apparently he never hesitated to express his opinion!

Joseph W. Hill was stricken with a paralytic stroke in June 1913; this unfortunate turn of events forced him to resign his duties with the Northeast Texas Fair organization one month later in July. The Pittsburg Gazette Newspaper on July 18, 1913 published a notice announcing his resignation and offered the following commentary, “Mr. Hill has devoted his time and energy toward the betterment of Pittsburg’s commercial condition and the building up of Camp County and Northeast Texas and no man who ever lived in Pittsburg has done more to accomplish this end than he has.” He passed away on November 2, 1913, surrounded by his wife and all of his children, and was laid to rest in Rose Hill Cemetery along with many of his family members and friends. His obituary, published in the November 7, 1913 issue of the Pittsburg Gazette states he was praised by Revs. A. B. Ingram and E. P. West for his “public-spiritedness and fidelity to the cause of progress”. It is ironic to note that Joseph W. Hill passed away on Sunday morning and his beloved Northeast Texas Fair started later in the week on Thursday, no doubt Mr. Hill was settled into his new heavenly home and enjoying the fair hustle and bustle.

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