Vandiver Berry Hill
Judge V.B. Hill was born in Adair county Kentucky, Dec. 27th, 1827, and died at his home in Waynesville, Mo., Sept. 27th, 1912, aged 84 years and 9 months. His father was George Hill, his mother was Malinda Christeson, who died when the subject of this sketch was three years old. He was then sent to live in the family of her brother, Josiah Christeson, who reared him. His uncle moved to Pulaski county, Missouri, in 1835 and settled near Waynesville, on what is now G.O. Crismon's farm bringing the boy with him. He worked on his uncle's farm during the summer and attended the country schools in winter until 1848, when he went to school at Springfield, Mo., for five months. Subsequently he attended High school at Ebenezer, Green county, Mo. for thirteen months. Returning to Pulaski county, he was appointed deputy circuit clerk held eighteen months when he was elected sheriff of the county in 1850. He was elected to the Missouri Legislature, from Pulaski county in 1854 and again in 1856. For several years back he had been studying law, preparing himself to enter upon that profession. He was admitted to the bar in 1857 and opened an office in Waynesville. In 1861 he was elected a member of the state convention, which was to determine what course this state would pursue in regard to secession. He kept his seat in this convention until that body adjourned from St. Louis to Jefferson City where he with Sterling Price and several other prominent members were expelled on account of their strong Southern proclivities. He returned home and was elected captain of Company F 1st Regiment Missouri State guards, McBride's Division in the Confederate army. He was in the battles of Wilson Creek, Drywood and Lexington. In 1862 he resigned, returned to his home and engaged in farming until 1864 when he went to Wyandotte Kan., where he remained about a year as a clerk in a dry goods store. He then went to Putnam county, Indian, where he remained until May, 1867, when he returned to Waynesville and resumed the practice of law and also engaged in farming. In the early seventies he served his county as County School Commissioner and later as Prosecuting Attorney. In November 1874 he was elected Judge of the Circuit Court for the 18th Judicial Circuit of Missouri, in which capacity he served six years.
He was a leading member of the Baptist church having served several times as Moderator of the Association, he was also prominent in Masonic circles, having been raised to the sublime degree Master Mason a half century ago at Steelville, Mo., at that time the nearest lodge to Waynesville.
He was married Jan. 8th, 1856, to Miss Nancy McDonald in Waynesville, Mo., at the home of her brother, W.W. McDonald, who at that time was Circuit Clerk of this county. Six children were born of this marriage, four dying in infancy, two surviving, Mrs. J.B. Harrison, of Rolla, Mo., and Mrs. Nora H. Locker, of Waynesville. His wife died in 1902.
By his death that county has lost one of its oldest and most prominent pioneers and citizens. He saw this country transformed from a wilderness, overrun by Indians and wild beasts to its present condition, and aided all he could in its social, religious and moral development. He was always found on the moral side of every question public or private. In one sense he was a strong partisan. That is he was a firm believer in the great fundamental principles of the political party, the church, and the lodge to which he belonged, all of which had honored him and all three of which were his ideals in their respective spheres. He had been an invalid for years and his death had been expected any time for several months. The hand of affliction has rested heavily upon him for years thereby affording the younger generation little or no opportunity to know him personally and thereby become familiar with the many noble traits which endeared him to every one with whom he came in contact when he was in his prime 20 to 60 years ago. There was a quiet, native dignity about him in his daily walk and conversation which gave a charm to his personality. He cherished his home circle in a marked degree. A more loving, faithful husband, a kindlier, better father, a more exemplary citizens, a more trusted official or a more impartial Judge never lived.
The funeral services were held by Rev. J.C. Hicks, of Plato, after which the Masons took charge and the remains were laid to rest in the Mitchell cemetery by the side of his wife to await the Resurrection Morn and that lowly yet lofty spirit which so lately dwelt in that body of his, over which nature will spread her soft green carpet- where is it? May the Almighty save and may his children and grandchildren "be beloved for the fathers sake."
The Pulaski County Democrat
Waynesville, Missouri
3 October, 1912
Page 1
