Source: This is a bio. sketch from "History of Manitowoc County Wisconsin" by Dr. L. Falge, 1911-1912, v.2, p.463-464.

Karl Hillebrand, whose well directed efforts in former years made it possible for him, in 1911, to lay aside active pursuits, is now making his home in St. Nazianz, where he is enjoying a well earned rest. Like a large per cent of the inhabitants of his section of the county he is of German nativity, his birth occurring in Westphalen, Germany, on the 8th of April, 1860. His parents, Ignatz and Christina (Grohne) Hillebrand, were born in the fatherland, and after the death of the mother in 1867 the father brought his two children, Karl, our subject, and his sister, to America, landing on this side of the Atlantic in 1868. He made his way at once to Washington county, Wisconsin, where he maintained his home for several years, after which he came to St. Nazianz and was here employed as warden at the convent until his death, which occurred when he was about sixty years of age.

In the country schools Karl Hillebrand acquired his education and at the age of thirteen years began earning a little money of his own by driving oxen. Later he learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed for two years in his home community, after which he went to Washington county, Wisconsin, where for a similar period he followed farming, earning in one year one hundred and twenty-five dollars. The succeeding year was spent in Fond du Lac in the pursuit of his trade, and in 1886 he went to Nebraska, where he engaged in the shoe making business for three and a half years.

On returning to Wisconsin, he located permanently at St. Nazianz, and throughout the intervening period has been variously engaged, devoting his time to the occupation of farming, employment in the lumber camps or to the work of his trade. He erected his present residence and also his workshop, and remained in active pursuits until 1911, when he withdrew from business, spending his days in honorable retirement.

Mr. Hillebrand was married to Miss Margaretha Schnitler, who was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, on the 6th of March, 1868, a daughter of Johann and Regina (Lubelei) Schnitler, both now deceased. Her father had followed farming as a life work. Mr. and Mrs. Hillebrand have become the parents of ten children, as follows: Carl, who was born on the 8th of February, 1886, and is now deceased; Johann, born in 1888, a resident of Spring Valley, Wisconsin; Joseph, born in 1890, of Manitowoc, Wisconsin; Peter, whose birth occurred in 1892 and who is a painter of St. Nazianz; Regina, born in 1894; Carl, in 1896; Edmund, in 1898 and William, in 1901, all attending school; and Irena and Harry born respectively in 1902 and 1905. The parents hold membership in St. Gregory's Catholic church, and Mrs. Hillebrand belongs to the ladies society of the church. Mr. Hillebrand's fraternal relations are with the Catholic Knights if St. Nazianz. His life has been one of continuous activity, characterized by close application, untiring perseverance and well directed effort, and that success has come to him in substantial measure is indicated by the fact that, although he is still in the prime of life, he is able to rest from further labor and enjoy in well earned rest fruits of his former toil.

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