dipity

Time line of James J. Hill's life and family, including highlights of business and other activities. He was known as the Empire Builder and played an integral part in Western Expansion as well as life in the Twin Cities.

Created by MinnesotaHistory on Mar 31, 2009

Last updated: 05/14/12 at 02:10 PM

Tags: Hill

• Dipity Timeline Created
  Mar 31, 2009 3:23 PM

• JJH dies in his home at 240 Summit Avenue, St. Paul.
  May 29, 1916

  James J. Hill dies in his home at 240 Summit Avenue, St. Paul.
  http://collections.mnhs.org/visualresources/image.cfm?imageid=146869&Page=15&Digital=Yes&Keywords=james%20j%20hill&SearchType=Basic

• Resigns presidency of Great Northern
  1912

  JJH resigns presidency of GN and becomes chairman of the board; son Louis W. Hill elected GN president. JJH resigns as GN chairman of the board; succeeded by LWH.
  http://collections.mnhs.org/visualresources/image.cfm?imageid=102057&Page=10&Digital=Yes&Keywords=great%20northern&SearchType=Basic

• U.S. Supreme Court orders Northern Securities Co. be dissolved.
  1904

  U.S. Supreme Court orders Northern Securities Co. be dissolved.

• Elected president of newly incorporated Northern Securities Co.
  1901

  Elected president of newly incorporated Northern Securities Co.

• GN completes line to Seattle.
  1893

  GN completes line to Seattle.

• Assumes central role in reorganization of the Northern Pacific Railway Co.
  Jul 1893

  Assumes central role in reorganization of the Northern Pacific Railway Co.

• Completes new house at 240 Summit Avenue, St. Paul.
  1891

  Completes new house at 240 Summit Avenue, St. Paul.
  http://collections.mnhs.org/visualresources/image.cfm?imageid=2034&Page=2&Keywords=hill%20house%20summit&SearchType=Basic

• Elected president of newly incorporated Great Northern Railway Co.
  1890

  Elected president of newly incorporated Great Northern Railway Co.

• Extension to Montana Territory completed.
  1887

  St. Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba completes extension to Montana Territory.
  http://collections.mnhs.org/visualresources/image.cfm?imageid=99118&Page=1&Keywords=montana%20train&SearchType=Basic

• Elected president of St. Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba
  1882

  Elected president of St. Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba

• Becomes United States citizen.
  1880

  JJH becomes United States citizen.
  http://collections.mnhs.org/visualresources/image.cfm?imageid=144807&Page=1&EndDate=1890&Keywords=james%20j%20hill&StartDate=1870&SearchType=Basic

• Plays important role in construction and operation of Canadian Pacific Railway.
  Jul 1880

  Plays important role in construction and operation of Canadian Pacific Railway.

• Railroad reorganization
  1879

  St. Paul & Pacific reorganizes into the St. Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba Railway Co. JJH Serves as general manager until 1881; then as vice president until 1882.

• Completes new house at Ninth & Canada streets, Saint Paul.
  1878

  Completes new house at Ninth & Canada streets, Saint Paul.
  http://collections.mnhs.org/visualresources/image.cfm?imageid=62781&Page=1&Keywords=ninth%20hill&SearchType=Basic

• Elected president of newly incorporated North Western Fuel Co.
  1877

  Elected president of newly incorporated North Western Fuel Co.

• Acquires the St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co.
  Jul 1, 1877

  Acquires the St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. with Norman W. Kittson, Donald A. Smith, George Stephen, and John S. Kennedy.
  http://collections.mnhs.org/visualresources/image.cfm?imageid=102294&Page=3&Digital=Yes&Keywords=st.%20paul%20pacific%20railway&SearchType=Basic

• Forms Hill & Acker
  1875

  Forms Hill & Acker with George S. Acker and others.

• Hill, Griggs & Co. founded
  1869

  Forms Hill, Griggs & Co. with Chauncy W. Griggs.
  http://collections.mnhs.org/visualresources/image.cfm?imageid=183584&Page=1&Keywords=griggs&SearchType=Basic

• Hill marries Mary Mehegan
  1867

  Marries Mary Theresa Mehegan, born July 1, 1846, in New York City.

• James J. Hill & Co. formed
  1866

  Forms James J. Hill & Co., a transportation and warehouse agency.

• James J. Hill arrives in Saint Paul, Minnesota
  Jul 21, 1856

  Hill wrote back to his grandmother in Canada, “I took a notion to go and see St. Paul…I like this country very well and I think I shall like it still better the longer I live here.”
  http://collections.mnhs.org/visualresources/image.cfm?imageid=132851&Page=2&Digital=Yes&Keywords=James%20Hill&Type=Photo&SearchType=Basic

• Hill's career begins
  1856 to 1866

  James J. Hill works for several steamboat transportation firms on St. Paul levee.
  http://collections.mnhs.org/visualresources/image.cfm?imageid=132304&Page=2&Digital=Yes&Keywords=james%20hill&SearchType=Basic

• James Jerome Hill Born
  Sep 16, 1838

  James Jerome Hill was born near Guelph, Ontario. This image is of his mother, Ann Dunbar.