Hill and Bidelman

HILL and BIDLEMAN, HILL and POWELL, H. C. HILL and SON
Due to the lack of business or residential records between 1850 and 1860, there is limited data
concerning the partnership of H.C. HILL and ROBERT BIDELMAN. The census for 1860 does
not list either man as a resident of Multnomah County, Oregon. The first available City Directory
for Portland dates to 1863, at which time the partnership is listed in the business section. The
residential section lists first names and initials, and an address of 10 Morrison Street. Bidleman is
listed as a “saddler.” In that same year, the same City Directory indicates Robert Bidleman was
working as a saddler at 92 Front Street. This was the address of John B. Congle's saddlery. Mr.
Bidleman was not listed in any City Directory after 1863.
In 1864, Hannibal C. Hill was working as a clerk at 125 Front Street. He married Sarah A. Powell
on 22 November 1865. She was the daughter of David Powell, a true pioneer of East Multnomah
County, having crossed the plains from Missouri in 1847. She was born in Missouri in 1847. The
township of Powell's Valley (now Gresham) was named for him and his brothers, among them a
James Powell who settled in East County in 1852, after a short period in the California gold fields.
He was a stable keeper in 1880, and the author believes he may have been a partner with
Hannibal C. Hill in the saddle and harness business for a few years.
He is again listed as a saddler on West Park and Market Street in 1869. H.C. Hill appears on the
1870 census with a residence in East Portland. He was 36, born in Tennessee, and was a farmer.
The Hills had one child, Charles E. , born circa 1867. In 1880 H.C. Hill was farming in the Sandy
area of Multnomah County.
In 1881 and 1882, there appears a business in the harness and saddle category, named HILL AND
POWELL. Since this business was in East Portland, it would seem reasonable that H.C. Hill had
an interest in it. None of the many Powell males living in early East Portland seem to match the
description of one in the harness or saddle makers trade, except perhaps James Powell, a 61 year
old stable keeper with nine children, and the uncle of H. C. Hill's wife.
In 1887, the shop of H.C. HILL and SON (Hannibal C. and Charles E.) began operation as saddle
and harness makers, on Portland's East side, on 4th, between K and L.
In 1890, there appears yet another harness maker by the name of William Hill [relationship
unknown, if any], in business as a harness maker at 350 E. 2nd [East Portland]. William was a
boarder at 1874 2nd . He continued in that business until circa 1900, when he became associated
with C.L. Hogan. Hannibal C. Hill was still in business in East Portland at 1158 4th, his residence
at 1122 8th..
Surprise! In 1893, Hannibal C. Hill is found in a crockery and glassware business at 106 Union
Avenue. Stranger still, in 1897 Hannibal worked as a janitor at the Courthouse, living at 613
Due to the lack of business or residential records between 1850 and 1860, there is limited data
concerning the partnership of H.C. HILL and ROBERT BIDELMAN. The census for 1860 does
not list either man as a resident of Multnomah County, Oregon. The first available City Directory
for Portland dates to 1863, at which time the partnership is listed in the business section. The
residential section lists first names and initials, and an address of 10 Morrison Street. Bidleman is
listed as a “saddler.” In that same year, the same City Directory indicates Robert Bidleman was
working as a saddler at 92 Front Street. This was the address of John B. Congle's saddlery. Mr.
Bidleman was not listed in any City Directory after 1863.
In 1864, Hannibal C. Hill was working as a clerk at 125 Front Street. He married Sarah A. Powell
on 22 November 1865. She was the daughter of David Powell, a true pioneer of East Multnomah
County, having crossed the plains from Missouri in 1847. She was born in Missouri in 1847. The
township of Powell's Valley (now Gresham) was named for him and his brothers, among them a
James Powell who settled in East County in 1852, after a short period in the California gold fields.
He was a stable keeper in 1880, and the author believes he may have been a partner with
Hannibal C. Hill in the saddle and harness business for a few years.
He is again listed as a saddler on West Park and Market Street in 1869. HC. Hill appears on the
1870 census with a residence in East Portland. He was 36, born in Tennessee, and was a farmer.
The Hills had one child, Charles E. , born circa 1867. In 1880 H.C. Hill was farming in the Sandy
area of Multnomah County.
In 1881 and 1882, there appears a business in the harness and saddle category, named HILL AND
POWELL. Since this business was in East Portland, it would seem reasonable that H.C. Hill had
an interest in it. None of the many Powell males living in early East Portland seem to match the
description of one in the harness or saddle makers trade, except perhaps James Powell, a 61 year
old stable keeper with nine children, and the uncle of H. C. Hill's wife.
In 1887, the shop of H.C. HILL and SON (Hannibal C. and Charles E.) began operation as saddle
and harness makers, on Portland's East side, on 4th, between K and L.
In 1890, there appears yet another harness maker by the name of William Hill [relationship
unknown, if any], in business as a harness maker at 350 E. 2nd [East Portland]. William was a
boarder at 1874 2nd . He continued in that business until circa 1900, when he became associated
with C.L. Hogan. Hannibal C. Hill was still in business in East Portland at 1158 4th, his residence
at 1122 8th..
Surprise! In 1893, Hannibal C. Hill is found in a crockery and glassware business at 106 Union
Avenue. Stranger still, in 1897 Hannibal worked as a janitor at the Courthouse, living at 613
Milwaukie. It appears he did return to harness making in 1900, working at 1158 4th.
James Powell died in January 1896. He was interred at the Gresham Pioneer Cemetery. Hannibal
Cicero Hill died in December of 1902. Sarah Hill died 13 May 1910; both are buried at Portland's
well known Pioneer cemetery, the Lone Fir.
27
[The author knows of no marks from these partnerships]
[Hill and Bidleman was in business from circa1861- circa1863]
[Hill & Powell was in business from circa 1881 - 1886]
[H.C. Hill & Son in business 1887 until circa 1890]

Research by Richard and Dorothy Egan

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