Julius Cyriacus Hildebrecht, the fourth of seven children of Carl Hildebrecht (1806-1886) and Amalia August (nee Aurich) Hildebrecht (1810-1888), was born October 17, 1840 in Ziegenhain, Hessen-Nassau, Preussen, Germany. Julius was raised in the small village of Ziegenhain which is located about 40 miles northeast of Frankfort, Germany. Julius' parents and grandparents were also born in Ziegenhain. Before coming to the United States, Julius worked in a hotel as a waiter in Wiesbaden and in Frankfort on the Mein from 1858 until August 1860.

Work was not easy to find when Julius arrived in Chicago, Illinois, since he did not speak or read English. Thus, to help his aging parents financially, he enlisted in the Union Army. His name was written on the Muster Rolls as Julius Hellebrecht. Julius volunteered to serve three years in the Union Army during the Civil War. The enlistment papers show that Julius was assigned to Company D, 82nd Regiment Illinois Volunteers. He was 5' 10 1/2" in height with dark hair and blue eyes. His occupation was listed as merchant. He enlisted August 13, 1862 in Chicago and was mustered into service on September 26, 1862 at Camp Butler, Illinois.

Julius was killed in action by the enemy at the Battle of Chancellorsville on May 2, 1863. He is believed to be buried at the battle site. The Hildebrecht Family had a monument placed on the family cemetery plot in Graceland Cemetery, Chicago in June 1918.

The information from this biography was developed from many sources but primarily from his mother's documented request for Julius' military pension.