Rev. Reuben Washington Hill, D.D., now (1921) pastor of the Mt.
Calvary Baptist Church of Princeton, W. Va., was born in Madison
County Va., on December 26, 1871, so it will be seen that he is
just fifty years of age. During these years he has been a hard
worker. His father, William Hill, was a farmer and the boy grew up
on the farm. Being one of a large family, his schooling there was
limited to the country public schools. Mr. Hill's mother before her
marriage, was Miss Elizabeth Carter. He came to West Virginia in
1885 and was engaged in rail road work till he entered the
ministry. He was converted at an early age and joined the Mt.
Olivet Baptist church of Culpeper, Va., in 1895, which was more
than twenty-five years ago, he was called to preach the Gospel, and
in that same year was licensed by the Shiloh Baptist Church at
Alderson, W. Va. Three years later, in 1898, he was ordained to the
full work of the ministry by the Arlington Baptist Church at Dry
Fork. He has steadily grown in favor with the people and has been
successful in his ministry. His first pastorate was the Elgood
Baptist church, in Mercer County, where he preached about a year.
He preached at Arlington and built new house of worship, also built
church at Rapidan, which he served a year and a half. In 1906 he
went to the Mt. Calvary Baptist Church at Princeton, which he
continues to serve, and where it has been necessary to build twice.
In politics he holds to the Republican, party and among the
secret orders and benevolent societies is identified with the Odd
Fellows, the Masons, the Golden rule, the St. Lukes and the Red
Men. He is Worthy Chief in the St. Lukes, and Prophet in the Red
Men. He taught school for two terms in Bland County, Va., but his
principal work has been that of the ministry.
On February 27, 1918, he married Miss Jeanette Toler, daughter
of Henry and Nancy Toler, of Bluefield, W. Va. Of the three
children born to them, two are living. They are William and Lola
May Hill.
Mr. Hill has found his greatest inspiration in the study of the
Bible and in preaching. Apart from the Bible his favorite reading
is history. He believes that two great needs of the race are
education and economy.
