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George D. Hill was born in Ohio and raised on a farm in Michigan. He enlisted in the U.S. Army as a musician in 1861 but soon was serving in the regular army. He lost his left arm in 1865 due to a battle wound sustained at Appomattox. Hill was very proud of his Civil War service and wore his empty sleeve as a badge of honor.

After the war, Hill enlisted in the peacetime army. He was stationed at Plattsburg, New York, and was involved with recruiting. In 1869 Hill was sent to Washington Territory to investigate Indian affairs at Neah Bay and Tulalip. He was soon appointed Indian agent at Tulalip and retired from the regular army with the rank of captain. Hill served at the Tulalip Agency until 1871. He later served as "acting" Indian agent at the Neah Bay Agency from September 1877 until 1878.

In March 1872, Hill married Ellen K. Kellogg. They had two sons and two daughters.

Hill became a recognized leader of the Republican Party in King County and Washington Territory. He was elected and reelected as treasurer of King County from 1874 until 1887 and was credited with holding the party together at times. Hill retired from public life in 1887 amid rumored charges of embezzlement. The charges were never substantiated and never brought to court.

Hill and his wife amassed a substantial amount of property. During the years following his retirement and his wife's death (also in 1887), Hill devoted his time to managing his wife's estate and his own property interests.

On December 4, 1890, Hill fell from the gangplank as he attempted to board a steamer and drowned. He was about 50 years old.