Monterey-Sonoma-San Francisco County CA Archives Biographies.....Hilby, Francis M. 1860 - 
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Author: Luther A. Ingersoll, Editor (1893)

FRANCIS M. HILBY, a leading druggist and esteemed citizen of Monterey,
California, was born in the picturesque little town of Cloverdale, California,
February 28, 1860, and enjoys the distinction of having been the first white
child ever born in that place.

  His father, Francis M., was a rugged native of the land of William Tell fame,
who left the fastnesses of his grand and beautiful country to seek, in 1844, a
home and fortune in America, that Mecca of the restless and discontented. His
first settlement was made in Galena, Illinois. Later, hearing the glowing
accounts of California, he, with his brother, in 1852, crossed the intervening
plains to this El Dorado of the West. They both located in Sacramento for a
time, where Francis M. worked at his trade of saddler. The latter was
subsequently married, in San Francisco, to Miss Catherine B. Kessler, also a
native of Switzerland. After seven years' residence in Sacramento, he removed to
Cloverdale, where his death occurred January 2, 1862. He was a man of sterling
qualities of heart and mind, and enjoyed the respect of all who knew him. This
worthy couple were the parents of three children, two of whom are now living,
the subject of this sketch and a sister, Agatha, now Mrs. Charles Few, of Monterey.

  Mrs. Hilby afterward remarried, and accompanied her husband to Flint district,
Idaho, where he had mining interests, taking with her the children by her first
marriage.

  Francis, the son, remained there until 1871, when he returned to Cloverdale,
where he attended school. He subsequently went to San Francisco, and, in 1879,
graduated from Heald's Business College of that city. In 1883-'84 he attended
the California College of Pharmacy. He also learned telegraphy, and served as
telegraph operator and station agent for the San Francisco and Northern Pacific
Railroad Company and afterward for the Southern Pacific Railroad Company. In
1882 he resigned his position with the latter company to engage in the drug
business in Monterey, his efforts in this direction having been crowned with
gratifying success. He is eminently a self-made man, and deserves universal
commendation for his persistent and honorable efforts in gaining a livelihood.

  He was married, April 14, 1887, to Miss Julia Mayer, of Mayfield, California.
They have three sons, who promise, under the able tutelage of their father, to
become typical Californians of indefatigable push and energy.

  Mr. Hilby is Republican in his political affiliations, and has been for a
number of years an active member of the Union League Club and of the Republican
County Central Executive Committee.

  He is a member of several societies and orders, belonging to the California
and American Pharmaceutical Associations, and being actively identified with the
Native Sons of the Golden West, having served the latter order as delegate to
several Grand Parlors and acted as Deputy Grand President for three terms.

  California's broad expanses of country, affording her inhabitants ample room
to expand, financially, socially and individually, has much to do, no doubt,
with the development of her hardy, progressive and aggressive citizens.
Certainly her sons are brave and effective champions, who, by their united and
persevering efforts have succeeded in planting her beautiful banner in the
foremost rank of the glorious Sisterhood of States.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

Memorial and Biographical History of the Coast Counties of Central California.

Illustrated.

Containing a History of this Important Section of the Pacific Coast from the
Earliest Period of its Discovery to the Present Time, together with Glimpses of
its Auspicious Future; Illustrations and Full-Page Portraits of some of its
Eminent Men, and Biographical Mention of many of its Pioneers, and Prominent
Citizens of To-day.

HENRY D. BARROWS,
Editor of the Historical Department.

LUTHER A. INGERSOLL,
Editor of the Biographical Department.

"A people that take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will
never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote
descendants."-Macaulay.

CHICAGO: THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY.
1893.

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