Reuben,
one of seven children, was born to Reuben and Sarah Joyce “Joiasy” Hanks. His
father, also named Reuben, served as a Baptist minister. People described him
as “a leading man in society,” who read extensively and earned the respect of
his neighbors for his sound judgment. Reuben’s mother was “a well-read,
well-informed lady, firm in her beliefs and always ready to give a reason for
the doctrine she advocated.” (Joiasy was a first cousin of President Abraham
Lincoln!)
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| Reuben Coleman Hill |
Leaving his family in Purdy, Reuben and the men set out in wagons on the Oregon Trail. They began their journey in 1851 in Independence, Missouri, and headed to Ft. Laramie, Wyoming. There, they left their wagons behind and continued with pack mules for the remainder of the trip west.
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| Margaret Graham Lair |
“The cries of those stricken with cholera in the tents and around the camps almost every night, and the fresh graves caused us to want to leave the regular trains, making the trip with pack mules. But because of the fact that the trains were broken up into so many small parties, we were with some train or other most of the way across the plains.
“On the way we had great discouragements. People had made a great mistake. We with the rest left a large portions of our provisions behind us. It was said to be the heaviest emigration that had ever gone to California, consequently feed became scarce, many head of stock dying, and that which remained got very poor.
“On the way we crossed a desert place. About midway from the starting in of this desert to the water, there was a high point of rocks. This point was not more than twenty feet high but was several hundred feet long. The shade of this eminence was the means of saving the lives of several of us. Many were exhausted.
“Several miles from this place there was a stream of water which we could see clearly, and we had it in our guide laid down. The stream was considerably shaded with willows and a grassy plain on the other side. We started a short time before day and we made the trip to the water before night. There we had plenty of water and grass for the mules, and there was shrubbery under which we might rest. We remained there two days to recruit.”
It is hard to imagine the harrowing conditions faced by Reuben and his companions. They encountered disease, starvation, and many other dangers during their journey. Yet, their resilience and determination remind us of how their hardships paved the way for future generations.
Reuben and his men arrived in Weaver, California, nearly out of provisions and in poor health after enduring the punishing trip. Reuben himself had been very sick and couldn’t eat any of the strong meat they had brought for the trip.
“I saw a pancake in the dust. I got down from my mule, picked it up, rubbed it on my pants to get a little of the dirt off, and then ate it with great relish.”
Many of their mules were close to death after the journey, but they managed to sell one to buy fresh provisions so they could continue. Upon arriving in Mud Springs (now called El Dorado), California, they prepared quarters for the winter and began prospecting for the gold that had led them west. Reuben preached under a large tree on the Sabbath to the many men who had come from the East in search of their fortunes.
During his time in Mud Springs, Reuben worked side-by-side with the physicians there and began practicing medicine with them. Although he had no formal medical training, he was soon introduced as a preacher and physician. By this time, Mud Springs had grown to nearly 3,000 people, and Reuben was asked to be their minister. He was provided with a house in which to preach, and a church of about 30 members was soon organized.
In 1851, Reuben moved to Oregon, stopping briefly in Shasta to prospect for gold. He then traveled to the Willamette Valley, stopping in Marysville (now Corvallis), and finally settling in Albany. There, he worked as a physician, visiting Linn, Benton, and Polk counties, as well as a teacher and a Baptist minister.
In the spring of 1852, Reuben returned to Missouri to bring his family to Oregon.
“In the spring of 1853, with my family and company in the train strong enough to feel secure from the attacks of Indians, we started out, and crossed the plains without serious loss or without experiencing more than usually befalls emigrants on a trip of that magnitude.”
Reuben and his family settled in Albany in 1854, where he organized the first Baptist church. As a minister, he was a fluent speaker and was held in high esteem by those who knew him, both as a good counselor and a successful physician. It was said he was “a doctor to the body and soul.”
Between 1857 and 1858, Reuben served on the Oregon Territorial Legislature as a representative for Benton County. He had strong educational convictions, believing that education and religion were the cornerstones of life. Drawing the charter for McMinnville Baptist College (later McMinnville College and now Linfield College), Reuben worked tirelessly to ensure the institution's success. He served on the Board of Trustees until his death. In 1870, he was named Financial Agent for the college, demonstrating his deep commitment to its future.
Reuben believed so strongly in the importance of education that he made a third arduous trip back East to promote and raise funds for the college. This journey was not without its challenges—traveling such long distances during that era was grueling. His dedication, however, was unwavering. Instead of receiving pay for his efforts, he accepted four perpetual scholarships to the college. Remarkably, nearly 150 years later, a relative discovered three of these scholarships unused in a trunk. Linfield claimed them void and attempted to buy them back. After a heated legal battle, the college agreed to honor them for 50 years, making them available to family members and administered by the R.C. Hill Trust.
Reuben’s limitless energy allowed him to be a life member of several important organizations, such as the American Bible Union, the American Baptist Home Mission Society, and the Oregon Baptist State Convention. His involvement in these societies underscored his dedication to both his faith and his community. These memberships were not mere formalities; they reflected his active engagement and leadership within these organizations, which sought to spread religious teachings and provide support to various communities.
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| Rev. Reuben C. Hill, MD, and his wife, Margaret, c. 1890 |
Despite the decline in his physical energy in later years, Reuben's mental stamina remained robust. He continued to inspire those around him with his wisdom and steadfast commitment to his values. His death on the last day of 1890 marked the end of a life filled with service and dedication. His wife, Margaret, and three of their children had preceded him in death, but he left behind four sons and one daughter, each of whom were very successful and well-respected in the Albany, Oregon, community.
Reuben's legacy is a testament to the profound impact one individual can have on multiple generations. His efforts in education, medicine, and religion continue to resonate, demonstrating how a life devoted to these pursuits can shape the future.
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