John Todd Hill was the son of Stonington Congregational Church pastor Reverend Charles J. Hill. He grew up in Middletown, but lived at times in Hartford, and finally, in Old Saybrook. Like World War 1 soldier Harry Gilbert Faulk, and Civil War Lieutenant Giles Ward, Hill died young. His path, however, was different than the two soldiers. He died at the young age of 42 years.
John Todd Hill was best known for his passion and talent for the arts, particularly his abilities in wood carving. So talented was he that he taught sculpture at Drexel University College of Arts and Sciences in Philadelphia. He studied in Paris under reknown French painter William-Adophe Bouguereau, who worked in a realistic style and often focused on the female figure.
As for Hill's woodworking and sculpting, he carved the mahogany pulpit, baptismal font and communion table for the Stonington Congregational Church where his father preached. He had adds for his woodworking services in magazines including the American Monthly Magazine. One ad asked "Has your Chapter a carved charter frame? If not write me for estimates and original and unique designs, which will not be duplicated. I can please you in memorial work, either in wood or bronze. Best possible work at lowest prices. John Todd Hill, Old Saybrook, Conn." The chest shown below left, carved by Hill, is in a collection kept at the Drexel Institute in Philadelphia.
He also wrote about his passion. In a magazine called "Saint Nicholas: An Illustrated Magazine for Young Folks ", he introduced wood carving saying "ALREADY hundreds of young Americans have taken up wood carving as a pleasure and recreation, and hundreds more intend to practice the art. Some hints from a fellow-worker as to methods of work and uses of go is therefore be of service to them. There is not art in which a little talent counts for so much. Within certain limits it is the easiest of the arts. You must draw and paint for years, before you can attain excellence. But you may begin carving a chest, or chair, or book-case, with your first lesson, and finish it so well that it will be a valuable piece of furniture a hundred years hence." Quite humble for such an accomplished sculptor.
Another side of his life is suggested by his title: Consul General John Todd Hill. Although Hill attended Williams College in Massachusetts, he left after two years without graduating. And, in 1903, he was appointed to be the Consul General at San Juan del Norte, Nicaragua. This appointment would have been made by then President of the United States Theodore Roosevelt. Just how Hill came to be appointed is not clear. He took charge of the Consulate on March 23, 1904, and through writings published in the Congressional Serial Set, it can be seen that Hill was overseeing American business interests in Nicaragua, reporting on the growth of rubber trees and how those crops might benefit the US. He also reported on Nicaraguan gold mining activities.
In one article, he talks about the possibility of "good sale" for fruits in tins. He goes on, however, to scold that American goods are packed with the least care of any received at his Nicaraguan port. "The cases in many instances are very poor, often arriving in such condition as to cause much dissatisfaction. This applies more especially to goods shipped from New Orleans. An improvement in this respect would increase trade to some extent. "
In a September, 1904 summary, Hill writes about the promotion of trade, stating that more consular cooperation would, in his opinion, add much to the effectiveness of the consular service and make possible results which he didn't think were attainable under the conditions in which he found himself. "Even in an underdeveloped country like Nicaragua, a consul is constantly receiving letters asking questions that can be propertly answered only with data from all the consular posts in the counrty. As it is now, he would not feel justified in often asking his colleagues for information, and if he did, could only expect meager replies." He was clearly not feeling supported by his Nicaraguan colleagues in the foreign services.
As to his early death on February 19, 1905 less than a year after taking charge of the Consulate, the following account of his death from the "Correo del Norte" was published in the Hartford Courant on March 17, 1905:
Honorable John Todd Hill, American consul at San Juan del Norte, Nicaragua, died suddenly at 6 o'clock Sunday evening, February 19. He arose from the desk where he was writing and began spitting blood and before medical aid could arrive he passed quietly in "rest". For some time past, the deceased was complaining of spinal trouble, but little was thought of it. His death was quite a shock to the community here and at Greytown [Nicaragua]. As a mark of respect all the flags were half mast on the 22nd instant on the various public buildings, consulates and storerooms of Bluefields. Mr. Hill took charge of the consulate on March 23, 1904, coming from his home in Saybrook, Conn., where he devoted his time to sculpture, he being a proficent artist on that line. Mrs. Grace B. Hill, his widow, was the only member of his family with him during his illness and death. The late consul was a man who endeared himself to all with whom he came in contact by his refinement of manners, intellectual breadth and high character. He was a true and steadfast friend and a loving and devoted husband.