Robert Hill, born about 1900 in Arkansas, was married to a Mattie (born about 1903, in Arkansas).

Five children, two boys named Wilson (age 17, born in Kansas) and Earl (13, born in Kansas), and two daughters, Viola (age 21, born Arkansas), and Georgia (age 19, born in Kansas). There's an infant named Winifred, age 2 months, listed in the household. Her relationship is not stated, but as she's listed directly under Viola, it's probably her daughter, making her Robert's granddaughter.

They lived at 608 East 18th Street in Topeka, and owned their own home (value $1,200). Robert earned $1,728 in 1939 ($28,000-$29,000 adjusted for inflation to 2013 dollars), making him by far the best paid man on his census page.

Employer is listed as the Santa Fe Railroad, of course, his occupation "Machine Labor".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_L._Hill

Same name, born 1892 in Arkansas, fled to Kansas and worked in a meat plant in Topeka.....

Could this be Robert Jr.?

Heck, if he is 51 this is Robert Sr.!

I'd echo allie's sentiments. Mr. Hill's handsome, dignified face and bearing reveal something about his character, at a time when many of his countrymen regarded him as a second-class citizen.

I hope this image has been copied to a more stable and durable medium, for posterity, than the nitrate it was captured on.

[These images have all been copied and preserved by digitization. - Dave]

Samuel L. Jackson will play him in the movie.

I love this man's face. It's a face of courage and a proud dignity. I would have liked to have known him.

I hope Mr. Hill's grandchildren have copy of this photograph. It is such a beautiful image of this gentleman. My grandfather was a welder, but passed away before I was born. The only photos I have of him are of a frail old man. I would love a photo of him in his prime, like this one.