Businessman. He was born in New Mexico Territory to Augustus and Mary Hilton, who ran a small family inn. He purchased his first hotel in Cisco, Texas in 1919 after returning from service in World War I. He quickly acquired other hotels, and formed Hilton Corporation in 1946. His first luxury Hilton Hotel was built in 1925 in Dallas Texas, and his empire has expanded to include over 2000 hotels and properties around the world. His autobiography “Be My Guest” is considered to be required reading for anyone in the hotel management field. (bio by: MichelleW)  Family links:  Parents:  August Halvorsen Hilton (1855 – 1919)  Mary Genevive Laufersweiler Hilton (1861 – 1947)  Spouses:  Mary Barron Saxon (1906 – 1966)*  Mary Frances Kelly Hilton (1915 – 2006)*  Children:  Conrad Nicholson Hilton (1926 – 1969)*  Francesca Hilton (1947 – 2015)*  Siblings:  Felice A. Hilton Brown (1885 – 1968)*  Conrad Nicholson Hilton (1887 – 1979)  Carl H Hilton (1891 – 1973)*  August Harold Hilton (1901 – 1929)* *Calculated relationship Inscription:Charity is a supreme virtue and one great channel through which the mercy of God is passed on to mankind.  Christmas is forever