Hill, Dr. Tolbert Fanning


Dr. Tolbert Fanning Hill


Dr. Hill was the son of Dr. Green and Martha Caldwell Hill. He was born 31 Jan 1874 in Middleton, IL. He obtained his Medical Degree from Rush Medical College in Chicago. Dr. Hill had four brothers who also all became physicians: Green E., Thomas C., John H. and Harry C. Hill. Dr. Tolbert Hill replaced his older brother, Dr. Harry Campbell Hill, who relocated from Athens, IL to Streator, IL in 1898. Dr. Tolbert Hill became Athen's fourth physician. According to an article about him he "used to wade through knee-deep snow to get to patients and rode a buggy and horseback." He was also the mayor of Athens for two terms, served on the Board of Education, was a board member and President of the Athen's State Bank. He saw his last patient in 1969 at the age of 95. During his long career, he delivered 2,300 babies.

He was married to Lettie A. Herrin of Buffalo, IL on 9 Oct 1898. She was the daughter of William Francis "Frank" and Mary McDaniel Herrin. They became the parents of a son, Dr. Harold H. Hill, of San Jose, CA and a daughter, Louise Winterbauer who resided in Chicago. Louise was the mother of a son, Richard Hill Winterbauer, who also became a physician on the west coast in Seattle. Dr. Hill died a few days before his 108th birthday and is buried at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois. He was written up in the National Inquirer as America's Oldest Doctor.

Original photo belongs to Joan Winterbauer Lipe


Submitted by Susan Hill Davis


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