Francis Marion (Tuck) Hill
FRANCIS MARION (Tuck) HILL
Biography.
Francis Marion Hill was the fifth child in a family of thirteen. He was born February 13, 1843 in Lexington, Kentucky. His parents were Robert M. Hill (12-9-1815 to 5-27-1895) and Susan E. Poor (7-20-1818 to 12-29-1896) and they married in Logan County, Kentucky July 15, 1835. After marriage they moved to Todd County, Kentucky and remained in Kentucky until 1846 when they moved to Pleasant Hill, Missouri. In 1890 they moved to McKinney, Texas, where they lived until their death. They are buried in Pecan Grove Cemetery, McKinney, Texas. The Hill family consisted of the following children – Mary E. E. (1836), John W. W. (1836), James W. W. (1839), Robert E. (1841), Francis Marion (1843), Thomas Jefferson (1846), George E. Taylor (1848), Doctor Colman (1850), Susan Melinda (1853), Benjamin B. L. (1855), Sally Cornelius (1857), Armstead M. M. (1859), and Heneritta Pricy (1863). Of this family the following came to McKinney, Texas to live – Francis Marion, James W., Doctor Colman, Susan Melinda, Armstead M. M. and Heneritta Pricy.
When a mere lad of seventeen, he made three trips across the continent as far as Salt Lake City. He enlisted for Civil War duty in 1861 at Lexington, Missouri under General Sterling Price’s command, Colonel Gorden’s regiment, Captain Scott Bullard’s Company A. He became a Captain and his brothers, James Woot and Thomas were Lieutenants under him. His brother, John, was killed during this civil war. Captain Hill served only three months and was given an honorable discharge in order that he might join with Colonel Charles William Quantrell. In 1863 and again in 1864 Quantrell brought his men to Texas spending considerable time in and around Sherman and McKinney, Texas. Captain Hill was an expert marksman. He carried important dispatches through the Union lines from one General to another, and he led his own company, which he recruited, into many successful battles. He was captured several times but each time managed to escape. He was wounded twelve times and had seven horses shot out from under him.
Captain Hill had the distinction of having been the last Confederate officer to surrender his company, which he did at Lexington, Missouri May 2, 1865. Jesse and Frank James, cousins of Tuck Hill, Alan Palmer, Woot Hill, George Todd, Bill Anderson, Dick Maddox, Peyton Lang, Bill Gow, Dave Pool, Jim and Cole Younger, John Ross, Bill Hulsey, Lee McMurtry, Jim Hinds, and Bud Spence were under Captain Hill’s command.
Captain Hill returned to Texas from Missouri after having surrendered at Lexington, Missouri and took up his residence at McKinney, Texas. He married Mary Quintillia Graves, daughter of Albert Gallatin and Frances Harrison Graves, January 1866. To this union nine children were born. They were W. R., Lucy F., Doctor Wootson, Annie, Jessie, Effie, Ollie, Marion L., and Clarence O. Grandchildren that are living are Mrs. Vivian Bass, Mrs. Marion Truitt, Mrs. Maybelle Hilliard, and Ralph H. Hill.
Captain Hill organized the Ex-Confederate and Old Settlers Picnic Ass’n. He served as Grand Marshall for over twenty years, heading the parade each year. He served the city, McKinney, as an alderman, was ever active in city and county affairs, and in the promotion of every interest calculated to promote the welfare of McKinney and Collin County that would add to the happiness of his home people.
Captain Hill was a member of the First Christian Church, a former Deacon, and a member of the Odd Fellow Lodge.
Captain Hill passed away at his home February 3, 1920 at the age of 77 years. He was buried in the Pecan Grove Cemetery, McKinney, Texas.
CAPT. TUCK HILL ANSWERS DEATH’S CALL TUESDAY NIGHT; INTREPID QUANTRELL WARRIOR’S CAREER READS LIKE FICTION; McKINNEY CITIZEN FOR HALF CENTURY
McKinney Courier Gazette, February 4, 1920
After being confined to his bed since Christmas day, Capt. F. M. Hill died at 10:26 last (Tuesday) night at his late home, 508 West Virginia street, this city. His grief-stricken wife and other members of his family, relatives and friends were at his bedside when he breathed his last.
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Biographical.
Capt. Francis Marion Hill was one of the most widely known citizens of our city and state. His daring war record and later prominence in livestock breeding and as a mule man resulted in an extensive acquaintance especially throughout Texas and in many parts of Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. He was born February 13, 1843 in Lafayette county, Missouri, being therefore at the time of his demise 76 years, 11 months and 20 days old. He was the son of R. M. Hill and wife, both of whose deaths occurred in McKinney about twenty years ago. He was one of a large family of children the surviving members of which are R. E. Hill of Christian county, Illinois; T. J. Hill of Okmulgee, Oklahoma; D. C. Hill and A. M. Hill of McKinney; Mrs. Susie Luscomb of Sherman, Texas, and Mrs. J. G. Matthews of Dallas. One of his brothers, John Hill, was killed in Battle during the Civil War. Another brother, who died in young manhood in Missouri, was Z. T. Hill while J. W. (Woot) Hill, another brother, was a prominent McKinney citizen when he died about twenty years ago. Mrs. James Atkinson, deceased, was also his sister.
When a mere lad of seventeen, young Hill made three trips across the continent as far as Salt Lake City. He cast his lot with the Confederacy when the great Civil War broke out and though a mere boy under twenty, his courage and splendid soldierly qualities soon resulted in his rise from the ranks to a captaincy. He first entered the service under Gen. Sterling Price, but later served for several years under Quantrell whose ? as a band called by their enemies as “Quantrell’s Guerillas.” read more like the narrative of intrepid Knights of old or of fanciful fiction than they do of the chronicle of real facts and service rendered in behalf of their beloved Southland. He was wounded many times, but not fatally and seemed to lead a charmed life in the saddle as leader of his company of cavalry-men who successfully eluded every effort to annihilate or capture them. His brothers, Woot and Tom Hill, were lieutenants under him. They surrendered at the close of the war at Lexington, Missouri.
Capt. Hill came back to Texas to permanently located in the fall of 1865 and continued to call McKinney his home for the remainder of life. He was ever active in city and county affairs and in the promotion of every interest calculated to promote the welfare of McKinney and our county and that would add to the happiness of his home people. He served efficiently as alderman, helped organize the ex-Confederates and Old Settlers Picnic Association more than twenty years ago and served as its president one year. But he will be most missed by that association every year as grand marshal which position he always filled in such a satisfactory manner. He was a superb horseman and a natural leader of men and delighted in helping to make a success of these great three and four day county wide occasions. He was a director of the National Jack and Jennett Association at the time of his death. He was a member of the First Christian church of this city for many years and a former deacon. He was an Odd Fellow for many years. On January 18, 1866, he was happily married to Miss Mary Quintilla Graves, daughter of Albert G. Graves, pioneer Collin county settler. She and following children survive: W. R. Hill, D. W. and Clarence O. Hill, all of McKinney; and Mrs. George L. Moore of Dallas. Also by five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. The grandchildren are: Mrs. Sam P. C. Smith of Dallas; Mrs. Richard Bass of McKinney and Misses Marian and Maybelle Hill and Ralph Hill. The great-grandchildren are Billie, Bobbie and Vivian Hill Bass.
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Funeral Services.
Funeral services will be held at the First Christian church at 3 o’clock tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon, conducted by his pastor, Rev. Virgil W. Wallace. Burial will follow in Pecan Grove Cemetery under the auspices of the Odd Fellows lodge.
The death of Capt. Hill is sincerely mourned throughout our city and county. His public spirit, his cordial friendly handshake and cheerful voice will be sadly missed and his optimism and hearty co-operation especially in our county fairs, annual reunions, livestock sales, shows and other activities and elements of leadership will be hard to fill. All join in expressions of condolence and sincere sympathy to the loved ones in this hour of crushing bereavement.
McKinney Courier Gazette, February 4, 1920
After being confined to his bed since Christmas day, Capt. F. M. Hill died at 10:26 last (Tuesday) night at his late home, 508 West Virginia street, this city. His grief-stricken wife and other members of his family, relatives and friends were at his bedside when he breathed his last.
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Biographical.
Capt. Francis Marion Hill was one of the most widely known citizens of our city and state. His daring war record and later prominence in livestock breeding and as a mule man resulted in an extensive acquaintance especially throughout Texas and in many parts of Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. He was born February 13, 1843 in Lafayette county, Missouri, being therefore at the time of his demise 76 years, 11 months and 20 days old. He was the son of R. M. Hill and wife, both of whose deaths occurred in McKinney about twenty years ago. He was one of a large family of children the surviving members of which are R. E. Hill of Christian county, Illinois; T. J. Hill of Okmulgee, Oklahoma; D. C. Hill and A. M. Hill of McKinney; Mrs. Susie Luscomb of Sherman, Texas, and Mrs. J. G. Matthews of Dallas. One of his brothers, John Hill, was killed in Battle during the Civil War. Another brother, who died in young manhood in Missouri, was Z. T. Hill while J. W. (Woot) Hill, another brother, was a prominent McKinney citizen when he died about twenty years ago. Mrs. James Atkinson, deceased, was also his sister.
When a mere lad of seventeen, young Hill made three trips across the continent as far as Salt Lake City. He cast his lot with the Confederacy when the great Civil War broke out and though a mere boy under twenty, his courage and splendid soldierly qualities soon resulted in his rise from the ranks to a captaincy. He first entered the service under Gen. Sterling Price, but later served for several years under Quantrell whose ? as a band called by their enemies as “Quantrell’s Guerillas.” read more like the narrative of intrepid Knights of old or of fanciful fiction than they do of the chronicle of real facts and service rendered in behalf of their beloved Southland. He was wounded many times, but not fatally and seemed to lead a charmed life in the saddle as leader of his company of cavalry-men who successfully eluded every effort to annihilate or capture them. His brothers, Woot and Tom Hill, were lieutenants under him. They surrendered at the close of the war at Lexington, Missouri.
Capt. Hill came back to Texas to permanently located in the fall of 1865 and continued to call McKinney his home for the remainder of life. He was ever active in city and county affairs and in the promotion of every interest calculated to promote the welfare of McKinney and our county and that would add to the happiness of his home people. He served efficiently as alderman, helped organize the ex-Confederates and Old Settlers Picnic Association more than twenty years ago and served as its president one year. But he will be most missed by that association every year as grand marshal which position he always filled in such a satisfactory manner. He was a superb horseman and a natural leader of men and delighted in helping to make a success of these great three and four day county wide occasions. He was a director of the National Jack and Jennett Association at the time of his death. He was a member of the First Christian church of this city for many years and a former deacon. He was an Odd Fellow for many years. On January 18, 1866, he was happily married to Miss Mary Quintilla Graves, daughter of Albert G. Graves, pioneer Collin county settler. She and following children survive: W. R. Hill, D. W. and Clarence O. Hill, all of McKinney; and Mrs. George L. Moore of Dallas. Also by five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. The grandchildren are: Mrs. Sam P. C. Smith of Dallas; Mrs. Richard Bass of McKinney and Misses Marian and Maybelle Hill and Ralph Hill. The great-grandchildren are Billie, Bobbie and Vivian Hill Bass.
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Funeral Services.
Funeral services will be held at the First Christian church at 3 o’clock tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon, conducted by his pastor, Rev. Virgil W. Wallace. Burial will follow in Pecan Grove Cemetery under the auspices of the Odd Fellows lodge.
The death of Capt. Hill is sincerely mourned throughout our city and county. His public spirit, his cordial friendly handshake and cheerful voice will be sadly missed and his optimism and hearty co-operation especially in our county fairs, annual reunions, livestock sales, shows and other activities and elements of leadership will be hard to fill. All join in expressions of condolence and sincere sympathy to the loved ones in this hour of crushing bereavement.
