Joseph Hillmer

As printed in 1894

JOSEPH J. HILLMER, Professor of Ancient and Modern Languages in the high school of Winona, was born in Rotten mann, Styria, Austria, on the 9th of March, 1844. His father, Joseph Hillmer, was an extensive brewer and a prominent citizen of Rottenrnann. One of his daughters still owns the old homestead, a summer resort in the Alps. One son, A. Hillraer, was a captain in the Austrian army',and for distinguished services received the golden cross and gold medal. His death resulted from exposure during the service. He had just been promoted to be captain of theHocli und Deutchmeister Regiment of Vienna, the leading regiment of the army.

J. J. Hillmer spent his bo.hood days in his father's home, and attended the public schools until eleven years of age, when he entered the gymnasium at Gratz, where lie pursued his studies eight years, taking the regular preparatory course for the university. At the age of twenty he entered the Imperial University at Gratz, where he remained for three and a-half years. From his boyhood days he had expected to enter the Romish priesthood, which course had been decided upon by his mother. He pursued the regular theological studies, devoting himself to oriental languages— the Arabic, Hebrew, Syriac, Chaldaic and

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Professor Hillmer's studies had awakened in him a love of liberty, and, deciding to come to the United.States, he left the universitjjust before completing the regular course, in order to avoid ordination and tiiis be under the control of the bishop. He crossed the Atlantic in 1867 and went to St. Paul, accompanied by a classmate. He reached his destination December 24, this being the loneliest Christmas eve he had ever experienced. Professor Hillmer was induced to go to St. Paul through correspondence with a friend at Belle Plaine, and in that city was ordained for the priesthood in April, 1868, by Bishop Grace. He then went to Minneapolis to take charge of St. Boniface's German Church in St. Anthony. He removed the house of worship from the outskirts of the town to the main street in St. Anthony, near where Germania Hall now stands. The school was already established, and in 1869 he succeeded in introducing the now famous Faribault plan, credited to Bishop Ireland. This consisted in getting the school board to pay the teachers and coming with the public schools, retaining the Catholic teacher and religious instruction, which was to be given after regular school hours. After a year this was discontinued, but it was the beginning of the famous Faribault plan of education.

Mr. Hillmer also had charge of two missions, one in Cr'stal Lake Township and the other in Medina Townsliip, near Minnetonka. In the year 1870 he erected St. Joseph's Church in North Minneapolis, which was named in his honor, and he was aided largely by.Jacob Barge, John Orlh and other prominent German citizens. For some time he had charge of that church, there being then only three priests in Minneapolis, the others being Father McGolrich, now Bishop of Duluth, and Rev. Father Tissot. lately deceased. Fatiier Hillmer had charge of the church until November, 1870. About this time a change in his views occurred. He became acquainted with Rev. D. B. Knickeriwcker (the rector of Gethsemane Episcopal Church of Minneapolis, but now Bishop of Indiana), whose liberal and broad views had a great influence on the church and also upon Mr. Hillmer. His natural love of liberty led him to accept these ideas. About this time the infallibility of the Pope was declared, a view which he could not accept, nor would he submit to the arbitraryrulings of the ecclesiastical authorities, whose demands were at times extreme and unjust. He decided to leave the priesthood, and carried out the resolution in November, 1870. He sent his resignation to Bishop Grace, who would not accept it, but Mr. Hillmer was thoroughly disgusted with the lives of priests, saw much insincerity in their doctrines and could not consistently remain in the Catholic Church. He has, however, still retained his intimacy with his old parishioners, whom he always visits while in Minneapolis.

It was the intention of Mr. Hillmer to join the Episcopal clergy. He went to Faribault, where Bishop Whipple resides, and in accordance with the canons of the church he spent six months in study for the ministry, and was then received as a minister of the Protestant Episcopal Church, on the 21st of June, 1871. He was placed in charge of Trinity Church at Stockton, Winona County, where he remained for one year. While in that city he was married, September 1, 1871, to Miss Emma J. Booth, then a student in St. Mary's Hall, of Faribault, Minn., which city was her home. Her father was a prominent merchant of Hamilton, Fillmore County, where he located at an early day. David L. Booth will be well remembered by the old citizens of Winona, as he had intimate relations with many of the pioneer settlers. To Mr. and Mrs. Hillmer have been born the following children: Jennie Monica, a teacher in the city schools; Joseph Booth, cashier in the United States Express Company's office; Nona Theresa and Elsie Corinne.

During the year passed in Stockton, Professor Hillmer was also rector of a church in Minnesota City. In October, 1872, he went to St. Charles, Minn., and first conducted services in the parlor of his home; he afterwards held meetings in a hall until Trinity Church was erected. He also conducted services occasionally- in Chatfield and E3'0ta. In connection with his ministerial work he taught private classes in German in Rochester, and thus began his career as a teacher. He came to Winona in August, 1876, living been elected teacher of German in the public schools. At the same time he held regular services on Lord's Day in Rushford and Minneiska, and at times during the absence of the rector filled the pulpit of St. Paul's Church in Winona. In 1890 lie became rector of Grace Church at Wabasha, and spends Saturday and Sunday of each week at that place, where his work has been extremely successful. He is now teacher of languages in the high school of Winona, having classes in Latin and Greek, four classes in German and one in French. He thoroughly enjoys his school work, and makes it a delight to the students. The relations between them are ever of the most pleasant, and the pupils all have the highest regard for Professor llillnier. The degree of Doctor of Philosophy was conferred upon him by Galesville University, of Galesville, Wis. For some time he was also associated with Dr. Teschau in the publication of the Winona Adler, a weekly German paper.

Professor Hillmer is very prominent in Masonic circles. He was made a Mason in Rising Sun Lodge No. 49, A. F. & A. M., of St. Charles, and took the first three chapter degrees in Chatfield, and the Roy'al Arch degree in Winona. He then joined the Winona lo(Jge and chapter and was Wortliy Master at this place in 1886 and 1887. For many years he was Chaplain, and at this writing he is serving as Secretary. He is also Secretary of Winona Chapter No. 5, R. A. M., Prelate of Coeur de Leon Comniandery, and has been a delegate to the Grand Lodge. While serving as Master lie introduced the dramatization of the Masonic work, introducing the stage, and in this his labors have been most effective. He acted as King Solomon, and still holds the position. Only one other lodge in the state has adopted this most excellent feature in conferring degrees.

In 1885 Professor Hillmer visited the old Austrian home, where he spent the vacation months, meeting many of his old friends and classmates and some of his former professors. He also spent many pleasant hours with his brother, the Captain, who died the following year. A love of liberty has been one of Professor Hillmer's chief characteristics, and in accordance with this he is a man of broad mind, whose views on no subject are narrow or contracted. To others he accords the same right of far-reaching thought, and in consequence is charitable and liberal in his judgments.

riarshall Ney Pierce.

As printed in Portrait and biographical record of Winona county, Minnesota. Containing biographical sketches of prominent ... citizens .. (1894). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.