nd young Andrew, though but eight years old, was
"hired out." He early developed a burning desire for an
education, and took advantage of every opportunity that he
could find to study and to learn. He soon learned to read.
With this key he opened up to his enquiring mind a wide
vista of knowledge and saw through many things which before
had seemed dark. The family remained in St. Louis two years,
but in very poor circumstances. During this period Andrew
was able to attend school but little, yet he was so anxious
to learn several persons gladly gave him instruction. It was
during these struggles that he formed his purposes in life.
He solemnly resolved to make a man of himself and to
graduate from college.

In 1868 the entire family moved to Omaha, Neb., where their
circumstances gradually improved and Andrew was enabled to
attend school a part of each year. His mother died in 1871,
and the next year he went to Minneapolis, Minn. Here was
located the State University, and his opportunity to go to
college had now come. To make this possible he learned the
trade of a barber and pursued his studies, graduating from
the Minneapolis High School in 1878 and from the University
of Minnesota in 1882.

He soon came to Washington, entered the service of the
Government and took up the study of law and in 1885
graduated from the Howard Law School.

Mr. Hilyer takes an active interest in the progress of his
race along all lines, but he has especially urged upon their
attention skilled labor and business as very important
factors in the progress of the race.

In 1886 he married Miss Mamie E. Nichols, a descendant of
one of the older Washington families, who graces a happy
home. They have been blessed with two boys, whom they are
trying to rear and educate to become good men.

The resistance of the white people to the progress of the colored
people is least along the line of business. The colored people
themselves have only to develop a larger spirit of race help in
business and a magnificent future is just ahead for them.

In addition to little capital and much inexperience the colored
merchant has to contend against a hostile public opinion, which seems
to resent his efforts to improve his own condition and that of his own
race, when he assumes to tear himself away fr