Guided by the example of his German-American mother and Norwegian immigrant father, Conrad Hilton's life was grounded in a deep faith in God and country, an intrinsic belief in hard work, and the ability to "dream big." He was also profoundly influenced by the Catholic Church and its Sisters. He served his country as a representative in New Mexico’s first state legislature before enlisting in World War I. After the Armistice, he heeded his mother’s advice to “find your own frontier.” Conrad Hilton ventured to Texas to buy a bank…and bought a hotel instead.