
Francis Xavier Hillenmeyer 

Louis E.. Hillenmeyer 

Louis E. Hillenmeyer, Jr. 
CL Contwuy 
Gr Seen Ftillenmeyer The Pioneer 
Airplanes, automobiles, telephones, radios and modern transportation were unknown when 
Francis Xavier Hillenmeyer set sail from France for America about 1838. No doubt stories of the 
“\Nonderland across the Seas’’ with the opportunity it afforded had caused a quickening of pulse 
and instilled in his heart a desire to go in quest of that about which he had heard or read 
so much. 
Francis Hillenmeyer came from a family which had long been interested in horticulture. Records 
show that his cousins were operating a large nursery long before he came to America. In those 
days it was customary for parents to have their children serve an apprenticeship (for which they 
paid), before entering their life work. At eighteen he entered Baumann Brothers Nursery and by 
his good conduct and diligence was awarded a certificate of accomplishmnt. See page 23. Thus 
at an early age he was equipped to go out into the world and carry on. 
While the exact date of his coming to America is not known, it must have been about 1838. 
He first settled in the neighborhood of Philadelphia but soon found his way to the sunny South 
and located at Savannah, Georgia. There he worked for and endeared himself to Colonel and 
Mrs. Marshall. But he evidently was not in the best of health, because he returned to France 
and Mrs. Marshall wrote him May 5, 1840, as follows: ‘“My good and faithful Xavier, you cannot 
think how sorry | was to part with you but when | recalled that it is for your health, | console 
myself that you will return to me in good health and strength, and you will always find a friend 
in me.’ After writing about other things she ended the letter by saying: “If you think the plants 
will be any trouble, don’t bring them, only bring yourself.’’ 
He must have had other things on his mind than nursery stock, because two months later, on 
July 20, 1840, the founder of Hillenmeyer Nurseries married. On that eventful trip he also 
purchased the foundation stock for his future enterprise. We possess the original invoice covering 
material which was shipped to this country on October 19, 1840. See page 22. 
His bride apparently did not like the southern climate, because he soon came to Lexington, 
Kentucky. He first settled just south of the city on land now owned by the Kentucky Experiment 
Station but shortly after purchased a small tract north of Lexington at what is now known as 
Greendale. 
From the very beginning, his business seems to have prospered because of able management 
and diligence. He was soon recognized throughout central Kentucky as the leading nurseryman 
and numbered among his customers many of the great men, who resided in Lexington. One of 
the most interesting records we possess is a request from John C. Breckinridge, written in his 
own hand, that he come to see him about some grape roots, peach trees, etc. See page 23. 
Thus was laid the foundation, built on knowledge, application and service which has endured 
for 100 years. 
Siero Circe FEillenmeyer Ce 
About 1876, Hector Francis Hillenmeyer, the youngest of the five children of Francis Xavier 
Hillenmeyer, began to take up the mangement of the small but well established business. 
Possessing a college education and practical experience gained from association with his father, 
he was admirably equipped to carry on. He was a wonderful man. Gifted with an unusually reten- 
tive mind and vocabulary he could write and discuss many subjects intelligently. His knowledge 
of horticulture and kindred subjects was recognized by all who knew him. He kept an accurate 
weather record from June 1879 until his death, (which is yet being kept up to-date by the 
family). He was an outstanding, practical business man and served on many boards of various 
kinds and his judgment was sought and respected by all who knew him. 
Extracts from editorials after his passing may be of interest: 
Lexington Leader, March 5, 1923— 
“For Mr. Hillenmeyer the writer, through many years of acquaintanceship, had formed a tender 
affection. There was never an interview, however brief, which was not marked by brightness and 
good cheer, keen flashes of wit or subtle humor and bits of wisdom from his richly stored mind, 
all enlivened by a degree of warmth and brilliancy of imagination with which few men are 
endowed. Sleep on, old friend, and may the birds and the flowers, the beauties of the sunset and 
the glories of the morn, and finally the spirit of that Creator in whom you trusted, be your 
constant and ever-sympathetic companions throughout eternity.” 
Lexington Herald, March 5, 1923— 
“Hector F. Hillenmeyer, veteran horticulturist, departs for that eternity where midsummer is 
everlasting and there are no seasons and the weather need not be forecasted but in that garden of 
immortality he will work on with that energetic vigor that he retained until the sunset, living 
amid the flowers and trees and hedges which crow by the endless stream. In the love of Nature 
he truly held Communion with her visible forms. 
“His was a remarkable memory. When hail would fall cr snow extend winter to the threshold 
of summer and, always, when the hottest day and coldest day of the year would appear, it was 
always to him that newspapermen called for their facts and figures. Never leaving the telephone, 
he was able to give, when called without a moment's notice, statistics which were staggering and 
which always were correct. His knowledge was free to any who asked. A kindly man, an ex- 
ceptional student, possessed of a splendid intellect, he also was more than a naturalist. He was 
a philosopher.”’ 
Because of this outstanding ability, energy and love for his work the Hillenmeyer Nurseries, 
through his influence, grew in size and importance until it was one of the outstanding estab- 
lishments in the country. 
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