Served as an officer in the 76th New York Infantry during the Civil War
Wounded at the battles of Gettysburg, and the Wilderness, Virginia
(1843-1915) Born at Cherry Valley, New York, his family was no stranger to war! His great-grandfather fought in the American Revolution, his grandfather saw action in the War of 1812, and his father and himself fought for the Union in the Civil War, with his father losing his life on the battlefield. Charles Hill served in the 121st New York Infantry, and was killed while out scouting in 1864. His mother's side of the family got into the act also as his grand-father Busch fought in the War of 1812. In the beginning of the Civil War, at the age of 18, George B. Hill enlisted in the 76th New York Infantry. He saw combat in 22 hard-fought battles with his regiment while serving in the Army of the Potomac. Twice wounded in battle, he received a gunshot wound in his foot at the battle of Gettysburg, and the young Union soldier was wounded in the right thigh in 1864, at the battle of the Wilderness, Va. Promoted to the ranks of 2nd Lieutenant, and 1st Lieutenant respectively, for gallantry in battle, he was appointed commander of his company. Lieutenant Hill had the distinct honor of commanding the color company of his regiment at the historic grand review of the victorious Union army at Washington, D.C. In the spring of 1866, he went by steamer to California, and a few months later found his way to Virginia City, Nevada, where he was employed as a clerk, and became deputy recorder of the city. He built the Reno Water Works, and in 1875, he organized the Carson City Savings Bank, where he was a cashier, and then general manager. In the spring of 1887, he went to Bellevue, Idaho, and, in partnership with Colonel Ballentine, opened an extensive mercantile firm known as Hill & Ballentine, becoming one of Idaho’s most prominent businessmen. Becoming involved in politics, he was elected mayor of Bellevue 6 times, and was chosen in 1898 to be a candidate for governor of Idaho, but for business reasons he declined the nomination. He did much effective campaign work, and when he addressed his fellow citizens on political subjects he spoke with deep conviction, and great energy and power. He was frequently invited by his comrades of the Grand Army of the Republic to be the honored orator on Decoration Day, where it was said that his efforts reached the heights of inspiration.
Document Signed: 8 x 3 1/4, imprinted certificate of deposit document signed in ink.
State Of Nevada, The Carson City Savings Bank, Carson, Nev., Jany. 22, 1877. Edward Cassidy has deposited in this Bank One Hundred & fifty Dollars in United States Gold Coin for Twelve months payable to order of Self on the return of this Certificate properly endorsed with Ten per cent interest per annum for the time specified only. Beautiful, large signature, G.B. Hill, next to his title of Cashier. Endorsed on the reverse by Edward Cassidy. Nice sepia tone vignette of a barefoot maiden at the left. Very fine. Very desirable signature of this New York soldier who was wounded in action at Gettysburg. |