Herbert A. Gill

In the late 1870s, Gill began working for the Smithsonian Institution as a stenographer, and began working for the United States Fish Commission in May 1876 as a disbursing agent and auditing officer.^[2][3] In the 1880s, Gill was appointed as chief clerk of the commission. In 1880, Gill helped to plan the U.S. government's involvement in the Berlin Fishery Expedition.^[4] In 1890, Gill testified to the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Fisheries during their investigation of the commission.^[5]

Following the death of Commissioner Marshall McDonald in 1895, Gill assumed the role of Acting Commissioner.^[6][7][8] Gill served in the post until the appointment of John J. Brice the following year.^[9][10] While in the post, Gill helped to establish the commission's Division of Propagation and Distribution of Food Fishes.^[6] He also worked with the U.S. Congress to regulate Alaskan salmon fishing with closed seasons, spawning escapement requirements, and net restrictions.^[7]

Gill was an active member of the Cosmos Club from 1879 to 1884.^[11] In 1888, Gill began buying and selling land in Brookland, a new suburban development in Washington, D.C. During that period, he acquired over forty land deeds and began developing properties.^[12] In 1892, he sold his land in Rosemount Park to the U.S. government for $1 to help establish Rock Creek Park.^[12]

In 1908, he formally established H.A. Gill & Son Inc. with his son Theodore.^[12] In 1917, Gill was a founding board member of the Washington Real Estate Board to institute standard real estate fees and a code of ethics.^[12] Gill was also the auditor of the American Association for the Advancement of Science for several years.^[13][14][15]

Gill died in 1936 aged 80. He is interred at Oak Hill Cemetery.^[1]