A sturdy Scotch ancestry has given to the lawyer, James Brooks Dill,
that pertinacity and determination which successfully overcomes all
obstacles. He was born in Spencerport, New York, July 25, 1854, the
oldest child of the Rev. James Horton and Catherine (Brooks) Dill.
Four years after his birth his parents removed to Chicago, but upon
the death of his father, in 1863, he removed with his mother to New
Haven, Connecticut, continuing his studies in the elementary branches.
After studying at Oberlin, Ohio, from 1868 to 1872, he entered Yale,
graduating in the class of 1876. He now taught school and studied
law, and in 1877 came to New York, where he obtained a position as
instructor in Stevens’ Institute, Hoboken. Mr. Dill was graduated
with the degree of LL.D. from the University law school in 1878, as
salutatorian, and was then admitted to the bar of New York. Corporation
law was made one of his special studies, and, in 1879, he won an
important corporation case which soon established his reputation as
a corporation lawyer and an authority on this particular subject.
His marked business ability, combined with a clear legal mind, made
his services sought by the many large and influential corporate
interests. He was married in 1880 to Miss Mary W. Hansell, daughter
of a Philadelphia merchant, thereupon removing to Orange, New Jersey.
He became an active worker in the municipal and social improvement of
the Oranges, organizing a People’s Bank, of which he has always been
a director and counsel. He also assisted in establishing the Savings
Investment and Trust Co., becoming director and vice-president. He
is now director in the Seventh National Bank of New York City, the
Corporation Trust Company of New Jersey, the American School of
Architecture at Rome, the New England State Railway Company of Boston,
the Central Teresa Sugar Company and others.