Hillenbrand was born on July 19, 1904, in Chicago, Illinois, second among nine children and grandchild of German immigrants in Wisconsin. His parents were George Hillenbrand and Eleanor Schmidt and members of Saint Michael’s parish in Chicago’s Old Town. Personally recruited by Cardinal
George Mundelein to attend
Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary, Hillenbrand graduated and matriculated to
Saint Mary of the Lake Seminary (Mundelein Seminary), where he founded and edited the school's daily newspaper,
The Candle. He was also a member of the school orchestra and choir. He completed a license and doctorate at Saint Mary of the Lake. {{cite web ==Career==