Andrew F. Hilyer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Andrew Franklin Hilyer
|
|
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 14, 1858 Georgia |
| Died | January 13, 1925 Washington D.C. |
| Spouses | Mamie Elizabeth Nichols, Amanda Victoria Gray |
| Profession | Businessman, Lawyer, Inventor, Activist and Real Estate Investor. |
Andrew Franklin Hilyer was an amazing person from Washington, D.C.. He was a lawyer, a smart businessman, and an inventor. He also worked hard to make things better for others. Andrew Hilyer was born in Georgia on August 14, 1858. He passed away in January 1925. He strongly believed that African Americans could achieve great things. He spent his life helping black businesses grow in Washington, D.C. Even though he was a lawyer, he was interested in many different areas.
Contents
Learning and Growing Up
Andrew Hilyer was born in Georgia in 1858. At that time, he was enslaved. When he was young, he and his mother became part of a group called Exodusters. These were thousands of black people from the South. They moved to states like Nebraska to find a better life.
After his mother passed away, Andrew moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota. There, he was a free man. He met and became friends with wealthy families, like the Gale and Pillsbury families. These families helped him get a good education.
He finished Minneapolis High School in 1878. Then, he went to the University of Minnesota. He was the first African American to graduate from there in 1882. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. To learn even more about law, Hilyer moved to Washington, D.C. He studied at Howard University. He earned his law degrees in 1884 and 1885.
Family Life
In 1886, Andrew Hilyer married Mamie Elizabeth Nichols. She was born in 1863 and passed away in 1916. They had three children: Gale, Franklin, and Kathleen. Mamie Elizabeth grew up in Washington, D.C. Her family had been free for many years. She loved music and was part of a group called the Booklovers Clubs.
Seven years after Mamie died, Andrew married Amanda Victoria Gray. She was born in 1870 and lived until 1957. Amanda had studied at the Howard School of Pharmacy. She was also involved in community work in Washington, D.C.
Making a Difference in Business
Andrew Hilyer's first job was writing for the Northwest Review while he was at Howard University. After graduating, he worked at the Treasury Department. He later became a Secretary Treasurer there.
Hilyer's biggest impact was helping the black community in Washington, D.C. He wanted to help them grow in business, politics, culture, and education. At that time, people had different ideas about how black communities should develop. Hilyer believed in many ways to help.
He was very passionate about creating chances for black businesses in D.C. He often worked with white citizens. He convinced them to help by offering jobs and business training.
Hilyer helped start the Union League of the District of Columbia in 1892. He was its first president. The Union League wanted to "advance the moral, material and financial interests of the colored people." This means they wanted to improve the lives and money of black people. The Union League published lists of black business owners. In 1901, they published a big study about black businesses in Washington. Hilyer led this project. It showed that there were 1000 black-owned businesses by 1901. This was a huge jump from only 120 in 1894!
His interest in business also led him to the Paris Exposition of 1900. He went there to represent the U.S. Commission. He helped organize an exhibit showing the work of black Americans in business and factories.
Working for Change
Because Hilyer worked for the government, he could not openly be involved in politics. However, he started a secret group called the Correspondence Club. This club worked to influence public opinion and government rules that affected the black community. Only twelve people were in this club, and it was kept private. The Correspondence Club was a secret group that worked to help the black community.
Hilyer was also a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). He helped fight against unfair treatment based on race. He supported other efforts to empower black communities. He attended the first meeting of Booker T. Washington’s National Negro Business League in 1900.
He was on the Board of Trustees at Howard University. He supported education in many fields, including professional studies. He also supported industrial education, which teaches practical skills. He even sent one of his sons, Franklin, to an industrial high school. He was also the chairman of the Committee of Business and Labor in D.C.
Other Interests and Inventions
Besides his government job, Hilyer also invested in real estate. He bought, developed, and sold properties. He was also a talented inventor. In 1900, he received patents for two inventions: a hot-air register and a water evaporator for a hot-air register.
He loved books and art. He was a member of the Bethel Literary and Historical Association and the Muso-Lit Club. Hilyer and his first wife, Mamie Elizabeth, helped create the S. Coleridge-Taylor Choral Society. Mamie loved music, and they even arranged for the famous composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor to perform concerts twice.
His Final Years
Andrew Hilyer passed away at his home on January 13, 1925. His funeral was held at Rankin Memorial Chapel at Howard University. He was buried in Harmony Cemetery in Washington, D.C. His home is still part of the Howard University campus today. It is used for administrative offices.
See Also
Images for kids
-
Mamie Hilyer, Andrew's first wife.
