Hillyer, H.B

Object Type: Folder
In Folder: Photographers and Photography

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Hillyer, H.B

The work of photographer H.B. Hillyer from the Austin Files collection. The Rev. John Freeman Hillyer (1805-1894), a prominent Baptist minister and educator, moved his family, including his son, H. B. (Hamilton Biscoe) Hillyer (1935-1903), from Georgia to Texas in 1847. Father and son shared a common interest in photography and John taught H.B. how to create daguerreotypes. H.B. began making his own daguerreotypes as early as 1857. H. B. Hillyer later operated successive studios in Austin, Texas, from 1867 to 1887, becoming well-known for his photographs of local sites and events as well as his portraits of Texas State government officials. H. B. Hillyer married Mary Emma Storey (died 1885) in 1858, and they had four children: Theodore, C. Ernest, Julia, and Jessie. In 1886, H. B. Hillyer and C. Ernest went into business together, establishing H. B. Hillyer & Son. This studio failed during the recession of 1887, but H. B. Hillyer soon opened a new studio in Dallas, Texas. In 1889, H. B. Hillyer moved to Belton, Texas to join C. Ernest. Together they operated studios in Belton and Bowie, Texas until H.B.’s death in 1903. C. Ernest Hillyer operated his own studios in Bartlett and Belton, Texas, but he is believed to have left the photography business around 1912. C. Ernest Hillyer married Hattie Hillyer and was the father of Louise and Elizabeth (“Betty”) Hillyer.

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[H. B. Hillyer’s New Gallery]

Enlargement of the back of a cabinet card from H. B. Hillyer's New Gallery in Austin Texas. The card reads: "Negatives preserved, and duplicates can be had at reduced rates."

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