The Class of 1897

Homer Hiller Henry Hillebrand, Mary Rosenstiel

Homer Hiller Henry Hillebrand probably graduated with the Class of 1897.

He was born October 10, 1879, in Freeport.

After graduating from Princeton University, Hillebrand broke into the big leagues on April 24, 1905, with the Pittsburgh Pirates at the age of 25. He retired exactly three years later, on April 24, 1908. He was a left-handed pitcher. His three year total was eight wins and four losses, with an ERA of 2.51.

Despite being named Homer, he gave up only one home run in his career.

He also caught, played first base and played in the outfield. His career batting average (right handed) was .237 in 47 games, all for the Pirates.

He died January 20, 1974.

When people take a close look at my right hand, they always ask what happened to the tip of my ring finger. I tell them that when I was two or three, my sister closed my finger in a door. It got cut clean off, just hanging by the skin. Mom took me to Dr. Mary, who stuck it back on and told Mom it would grow back. It did!

Dr. Mary was Mary Rosenstiel, an 1897 graduate of FHS. She graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School in 1905. She interned in New York City, Dublin and Edinburgh. She loved practicing medicine. She established "The Little Hospital" at Stephenson and Cherry. She lived in an apartment above her offices. Her sister Susan was a nurse there.

Dr. Mary died on May 17, 1959.

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