William A. Hill (1864 – March 10, 1932) was an associate justice of the Colorado Supreme Court from 1909 to 1918. He served as chief justice from 1918 to 1919.
Early life and education
He was born in Farmington, Illinois, his birth date variously reported as being on November 4[1] or December 19, 1864.[2] His parents were Amanda (Martin) and Abner K. Hill, a hotelier in Fort Morgan, Colorado.[2] He attended public schools as a child,[1] receiving his high school and college education in Illinois and Iowa.[2] He first worked in the railroad business as a station agent and a telegraph operator.[3] He gained his knowledge of the law through self-study and by practicing the law.[2]
Career
After moving to Colorado, he was admitted to the bar in 1888[2] or 1890.[1][3] A member of the Democratic Party, he held various appointed and elected positions, including serving as county attorney of Morgan County, Colorado for six years. He was elected mayor of Fort Morgan, Colorado and held this office in 1892 and 1893. He was then the county attorney of Morgan County, Colorado from 1893 to 1898. In addition, Hill served in the State Senate,[1][2] representing the 12th and 25th districts for eight years. An attorney, he specialized in irrigation law.[2]
Hill was appointed to the Colorado Supreme Court for a ten-year period in 1909. He served as chief justice for the final two years of his appointment, from 1918 to 1919.[2] Hill also invested in real estate within Morgan County, including Fort Morgan.[2]