Solomon Hillen, Jr. (1810-1873)
MSA SC 3520-2042
Biography:
Source: Wilbur F. Coyle, The Mayors of Baltimore (Reprinted from The Baltimore Municipal Journal, 1919), pp. 65-67.
Solomon Hillen, Jr., was Mayor of Baltimore from April 1st, 1842, to November, 1842; November, 1842, to Autumn 1843, at which time he resigned. (Part terms). During this administration the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was completed to Cumberland. Centre Market extension was finished, the ground for Lexington Market addition from Greene to Pearl streets was acquired and the adjacent streets paved. The Mayor’s message of 1843 states that 558 houses were erected within the city limits during 1842; that 29 sailing vessels and 2 steamers, aggregating 3,100 tons were built during this year.
A resolution appointing a "Special Board of Commissioners," consisting of the Mayor, presidents of the City Council and City Attorney to examine the organization of the City Departments with a view to reorganizing all or such of them as can be reformed, was approved. Other ordinances passed authorized the closing of certain streets on the site of Mount Clare shops and yards; extending Belair Market to Hillen street, and granting power to the City Government to sell real estate for non-payment of paving taxes. Legislation providing for the erection of a stone bridge over Chatsworth Run, at Cider alley, and the construction of a dam (possibly for a mill-race) in Harford Run (Central Avenue) between Orleans and Pitt (Fayette) streets, was passed. These runs are now enclosed in sewers. Provision for building two schoolhouses was made. The night schools, which had been conducted for several years, were still considered experiments at this time.
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Colonel Solomon Hillen, according to one historian, was born in 1810, in Baltimore County, near the then city limits, at the old seat of the family on the Hillen Road. Colonel Hillen was a member of the Legislature from Baltimore County, and served as a member of Congress previous to his election as Mayor of Baltimore. It has been stated that Mayor Brady resigned his office and to determine his successor, a special election was held March 31st, 1842, at which Colonel Hillen was chosen Mayor. He took office April 1, 1842, and at the expiration of this part term was elected to succeed himself. He, too, however, resigned about October 1, 1843, his successor being Major James O. Law.
Colonel Hillen was a lawyer, but abandoned the practice of his profession on account of ill health. He was a captain of the well-known company of Independent Blues, later becoming Colonel of the old Fifth Regiment. His widow was a daughter of General Columbus O’Donnell. Mr. Hillen died June 26th, 1873.
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