Solomon Hillen Jr. (July 10, 1810 – June 26, 1873) was a U.S. Representative from Maryland and mayor of Baltimore.

Early life

Solomon Hillen Jr. was born on July 10, 1810, at the family estate, "Hillendale," on Hillen Road north of Baltimore to Robina Kennedy (née McHaffle) and Thomas Hillen. He graduated from Georgetown College in 1827, studied law, was admitted to the bar, and commenced practice in Baltimore.[1][2][3]

Career

Hillen served as member of the Maryland House of Delegates from 1834 to 1838. Hillen was elected as a Democrat to the Twenty-sixth Congress (March 4, 1839 – March 3, 1841). Afterward, he resumed the practice of law. He was elected on April 1, 1842 as Mayor of Baltimore, replacing Samuel Brady who had resigned. He was elected for a second term, but resigned in the fall of 1845, due to ill health.[1][3][4][5] During his term, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was completed to Cumberland.[4] He stopped practicing law due to ill health. He served in the company of the Independent Blues, and became colonel of the Fifth Regiment.[4]

Personal life

Hillen married Emily O'Donnell, a daughter of General Columbus O'Donnell. Hillen had two children, Thomas Hillen (1849–1887) and Emily.[4][5][2]

Hillen lived at "Palmyra", a house on Hillen Road opposite Woodbourne Avenue in Baltimore.[3]

Hillen died on June 26, 1873, at Fifth Avenue Hotel in New York City. He is interred in Green Mount Cemetery in Baltimore.[1][4][5]

Legacy

Hillen Street and Hillen Road in Baltimore were named after members of the Hillen family. Uses of "Hillendale" refer to the family's country estate.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Hillen, Solomon Jr". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
  2. ^ a b Lantz, Emily Emerson (August 13, 1905). "Maryland Heraldry: More About Hillen Lineage". The Baltimore Sun. p. 12. Retrieved September 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  3. ^ a b c d Rauch, Henry C. (February 6, 1949). "The Hillens". The Baltimore Sun. p. 13. Retrieved September 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  4. ^ a b c d e "Solomon Hillen, Jr". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. May 20, 2002. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
  5. ^ a b c "Death of Colonel Solomon Hillen". The Baltimore Sun. June 28, 1873. p. 1. Retrieved September 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Maryland's 4th congressional district

1839–1841
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Mayor of Baltimore
1842–1845
Succeeded by

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress


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