Frank Fletcher Hill

Director of Field Production, Union Oil Company of California c.1933. First innovator to successfully use cement in oil wells to seal off drill casing from water table circa 1899. Holder of many patents for well production techniques and equipment while setting drilling records for depth in California 1900-1936. State appointed member, California Chamber of Mines and Wells c. 1915; Member, Board of Directors for Los Angeles Athletic Club and allied clubs (1942-1952); Member, Jonathan Club (1932); Surf and Sand Beach Club, Hermosa Beach; Member Bolsa Chica Gun Club, Huntington Beach; Founding Member Petroleum Pioneers of California. Biographical listing Who's Who in Los Angeles County 1923-1931; Who's Who in California 1928.

In 1914 he began divorce proceedings against his first wife, Blanche, with whom by 1906 he had a son and daughter, Herbert Wayne Hill and Wanda Florence Hill. The court in 1915 gave him custody of the children and all community property. He married for the second time a young widow, Mabel E. Smith Brown, who also had a son and daughter by her deceased husband, Fred H. Brown. Frank Hill raised both of her children as his own; Fred Charles Brown and Patricia E. Brown. (see Mabel Hill's page) He and Mabel went on to have two children of their own, Frances and Lorraine. The family lived at 1525 S. Van Ness Avenue in Los Angeles until 1935 when they moved to Beverly Hills. In 1944 they bought a gated estate on several acres located at 12334 Viewcrest Road, Studio City. The house and grounds was situated on the valley side below Mulholland Drive and west of Laurel Canyon. He lived here for the rest of his life.