John A. Hillenbrand, a man not only driven to make life better for himself and his family but esteemed for making like better for the community in which he lived.

• Parents : John Sr. and Margaret (Herr) Hillenbrand
• Siblings : William A. and George C. Hillenbrand (George was also instrumental in building the Hillenbrand Companies)
• Married Clara Enneking on February 11, 1903
• Children : John W. (b. 1903), William A. (b. 1906), Mary T. (b. 1907), George C. (b. 1909), Helenrose (b. 1910), Frank A. (b. 1913 d. 1913), Clara J. (b. 1916), Dan A. (b. 1923)
• John Hillenbrand Sr. died May 27, 1910
• John A. and Clara celebrated their Golden Anniversary on February 11, 1953

• Bookkeeper for the furniture factories
• Bought the Greeman Bros. Manufacturing Co., known as the Batesville Carving Co., and renamed it to the Batesville Cabinet Factory
• President of the National Bank in Batesville
• Helped run the Hillenbrand Lumber Co.
• Farming was a special love of his
• Established water and sewer utilities for the town of Batesville
• Brought electricity to Batesville
• After his father purchased Batesville Coffin Co. in 1906, John was instrumental in the rescuing of the company and for transforming it into the world-renowned Batesville Casket Co. we know today

• Trustee for Purdue University of 33 years
• Received Papal Honors for his work with the Knights of St. Gregory
• Donated land for the building of the second St. Louis School
• Donated land for the building of the Batesville Memorial Public Library
• Was elected the first Grand Knight for Council #1461 Knights of Columbus when it was formed in 1909
• Donated money to add a Seth Thomas tower clock with 4 exterior dials
• Donated money for a new addition to the Margaret Mary Hospital in 1944