A short background is needed to fully understand the drive that Conrad Hilton had to succeed. On his birth certificate read Conrad Nicholson Hilton, born in San Antonio, New Mexico Territory on December 25, 1887. His father Augustus Holver Hilton, a Norwegian immigrant, was a hard worker. August was a trader and an outstanding resident of San Antonio. Conrad saw his father working hard to make a living and caught hold of the American dream at a young age. His mother, Mary Laufersweiler, was the source of his faith. She was a devout Catholic, who imparted strong morals in her son's life. He was the oldest son in the family and this placed him in a more responsible role in the house, he was looked up to by his younger siblings. He was the second oldest child in the family of 8 children, with his older sister being the oldest.
             Connie, as he was known by close friends, attended Goss Military Institued, New Mexico Military Institute, and St. Michael's College. The family was doing well and August decided to move to California in the Long Beach area, Conrad said they moved, "Because we were rich."(Be My Guest, 1957) August lost some money in a financial flop, so the family returned to San Antonio
             From his upbringing he learned two very valuable lessons. He learned what hard work was from watching his father run at different times: the post office, the bank, the telegraph office, and a small hotel. The second lesson that he learned was about prayer. With his mother being the devout catholic that she was, he learned quickly about prayer and the faith.
             Young Conrad got his first taste of the Hotel business when his family added some rooms onto their house because of how the family had grown. As the children began to move out, August and his wife
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