Adam and Eve (Hamaker) Hocker

Sometimes during your research you come across families with the same surname you’re researching, but you don’t know how or if they fit into your family. The family of Adam and Eve (Hamaker) Hocker is one such family.

Originally, William Wingeard attributed Adam as a son of John and Christianne Catharine (Steirling) Hocker—primarily, I believe because of his age and proximity to where John and Catharine were living in Pennsylvania. However, subsequent research proved that John and his brother Jacob moved their families—including John’s son Adam—to Ohio about 1839. Since Adam and Eve (Hamaker) Hocker remained in Pennsylvania, Adam can not be John’s son.

I am seeking any additional information on this family, especially any data that may lead to an identification of Adam’s parentage.

Adam Hocker was born 19 Oct 1812, possibly in Hummelstown, Derry township, Dauphin county, Pennsylvania and died 26 Sep 1870 in Swatara township, Dauphin county, Pennsylvania.¹ He was buried in Churchville Cemetery in Oberlin, Pennsylvania. Adam was a farmer, and he first showed up in Dauphin county tax records in 1834 (age about 22).

Adam married Eve Hamaker, daughter of Adam Hamaker (25 Dec 1778—15 Nov 1828) and Magdalena Snavely (17 Oct 1776—5 Apr 1845), on 22 Feb 1838.² Eve was born 24 Jun 1817 and died 14 Nov 1892. She, too, was buried in Churchville Cemetery on 18 Nov 1892.³

Adam and Eve (Hamaker) Hocker had the following children:

1. Jacob H. Hocker (1839—1911)
2. John Hocker (1841—1905)
3. Adam H. Hocker (1843—1902)
4. Mary Elizabeth Hocker (1946—1930)
5. Sarah Hocker (1848—1930)
6. David R. Hocker (1850—1887)
7. Malinda Hocker (1853—1926)
8. Martin M. Hocker (1855—1928)
9. Anna C. Hocker (1860—1947)

• Category: Loose Ends