Newton Scott Hillyard (March 24,1867 – March 25, 1936) started his career in 1891 as a substitute driver on an oil wagon for the Standard Oil Company, and eventually became a salesman on a regular route. During that time, he invented an automatic drip appliance for toilets. Doing so, he decided it was time to attempt the market himself.

As his career was taking off, he married Marla Wynona Cole in 1891. They had 4 boys and a girl.

His curiosity led him to the development of over 100 patented formulas for maintenance, sanitation products and equipment. In 1907, Hillyard started his own business, Hillyard Disinfectant Company, which eventually became Hillyard, Inc.

His accomplishments were numerous and helped propel the Hillyard Companies to a leadership position in the maintenance industry.

When his son Marvin approached his father to sponsor a baseball team, in typical N.S. fashion, he poured all of his efforts into it, looking for new ways to expand, improve and promote the sport. Newton was unhappy with the slippery oil dressings used on early wood gym floors, as he felt they were unsafe. So, he decided to develop wood gym floor coatings that were durable, easy to maintain, and offered his players a sure-footed surface for winning.

Sadly, in 1918 his son Marvin passed away after contracting pneumonia. Marvin had wanted his father to be the sponsor of a nationally known team. After his death players were gathered from local schools and cities and formed the team “Shine- Alls” who went on to win the National A.A.U. Championship games in 1926 and again in 1927. In memory of Marvin, Newton purchased a tract of land and gave it to the YMCA for a boys camp. The Hillyard family continues to maintain and support the facility in honor of Marvin. The Hillyard Companies support Newton’s legacy as they support the NCAA, NAIA, NABC, The Baseball Hall of Fame, and many other basketball organizations. Hillyard, Inc. currently sells its products throughout the United States and Canada.