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them, not by careless and indiscriminate giving, but by friendly counsel, and by placing them in a position to help themselves. themselves. In a word, we have in this gentleman a singular combination of a shrewd and successful business man, a lover of music and the fine arts, and an earnest, practical Christian, one to whom his adopted city and state are largely indebted, not only for their prosperity, but for the culture and refinement, the intellectual, moral, and social influences, that should accompany material greatness.

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CHAPTER XV.

LIFE OF NATHANIEL P. HILL.

VERSATILITY OF TALENT-ANCESTRY AND EARLY LIFE-GRADUATES AT UNIVERSITY-CHAIR OF CHEMISTRY-VISIT TO COLORADO-EXAMINATION OF ORES-STUDY OF PROCESSES OF REDUCTION-STUDIES IN EUROPE -IMPORTANT RESULTS-BOSTON AND COLORADO SMELTING COMPANY-IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE FAMILY-PHYSIQUE-SALIENT CHARAC

TERISTICS.

IN connection with mining operations in Colorado may here be presented a brief memoir of the career of her most successful mining metallurgist, Nathaniel P. Hill, ex-congressman, and whilom professor of chemistry in one of the foremost of New England universities. Men are so organized and life is so short that it may be regarded as a rule that eminent success is attained in but a single pursuit. There are pursuits so nearly akin that they call into exercise substantially the same faculties. There is apparently an affinity between law and politics, and hence lawyers readily turn politicians, and they seem to become statesmen more easily than other classes. Business men, as a rule, are disinclined to study public questions beyond their material aspects. Science is still more remote from politics than business, and the scientist is unadapted to political finesse and manipulation. It is to be

expected that inen who make politics a study and a profession will more readily than others become successful and distinguished in public life. Occasionally there arises a man of such strong and varied powers

that he succeeds in whatever he undertakes. As will appear in the sequel, the subject of this biography has attained eminence in scholarship, in science, in business, and in the highest form of practical statesmanship.

Nathaniel P. Hill was born February 18, 1832, on a farm near the village of Montgomery, in Orange county, New York. The paternal ancestors are of English descent, and emigrated to this country at an early date. Nathaniel is a cherished family name, and was borne by the great-grandfather and father. Four generations of the Hills have successively resided in Orange county, and three of them owned and occupied the farm on which Nathaniel was born, the father being also born in the same house. house was built by the great-grandfather for the grandfather more than a century ago, and it is still standing, and occupied by a brother of him whose character we are now making our study.

This

Nathaniel Hill, the great-grandfather, was born in 1705 and died in 1780, as appears from the inscription on his tombstone. In those days, when the country was new, population was sparse, and means of intercourse and communication were limited, it was seldom that men became known beyond their immediate neighborhoods. It is known, however, that the greatgrandfather was a man of industry, thrift, energy, good mental powers, excellent character, and a good citizen. The grandfather, Peter Hill, was born in 1751 and died in 1795. Though cut off before he had reached the zenith of manhood development, he had gained a high place in the estimation of the people of his locality. The inscription on his tombstone, which remains unobliterated, contains the delineation of his character. It is as follows: "In memory of Peter Hill, who died October 14, 1795, in the 44th year of his age. In the various relations of life he was truly amiable, as husband, parent, and neighbor affectionate and obliging. Early in life he manifested

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