Henry J. Hille, 24 years old, of Buck Creek, Indiana, on his way, in 1878, to the silver mines in Leadville, Colorado,
stopped in WaKeeney for supplies and remained to open the first drug store in the new Western Kansas town. 
In
the Spring of 1879 he returned to Indiana to marry Eva Catherine Shoup. They came back to WaKeeney and that
same year built a home on the present site of the Hille home, which still has part of the original structure. He soon
became interested in the open range, and in 1880 purchased his first cattle herd and began acquiring land in
southern Trego County on Sand Creek near the Smoky Hill River. He helped to bring cattle from Texas to this area.
In 1906, he, with A. H. Blair, F. S. Diebold, W. J. Skelton, and George Baker, organized the Trego County State Bank.
He continued in the banking, ranching, and cattle business until his death in 1934. Mrs. Eva Hille's death occurred in
1929, two days before a planned celebration of their 50th Wedding Anniversary.
The two sons of Mr. and Mrs. Hille, Charles R. and Henry G., have resided in WaKeeney.
Charles R. married Faith Wonner in 1906, and that year began his more than 50-year career in banking with the
beginning of the Trego County State Bank. They were the parents of two daughters, Helen Hille Baughman (Mrs.
George W.) and Barbara Hille Van Steenbergh (Mrs. S. K.). Charlie died November 7, 1969 and Faith died January 10,
1972.
Henry G. Hille, who began a ranching and cattleman's career at an early age, married Josephine Krhut in 1926. They
have lived in the original Hille residence since 1935 when they moved from the ranch during the dust bowl days.
Their children are Elizabeth C. and Charles G. Hille.
