A Pennsylvania Dutch Genealogy
the genealogy & family research site of Kris Hocker
Annie (KISSINGER) HACKER (1863—1894)
Annie (KISSINGER) HACKER, wife of Martin K. HACKER, was born 27 Jun 1863 and died 5 Apr 1894. She was buried in the Emanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery in Brickerville, Pennsylvania.
Martin K. HACKER (1850—1906)
Martin K HACKER, son of Jacob HACKER and Maria “Polly” KRIEG, was born 25 Jan 1850 and died 16 Nov 1906. He was buried in the Emanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery in Brickerville, Pennsylvania.
He was married twice, first to Annie Kissinger who died in 1894 and was buried in the Emanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery, and second to Sadie Bates on 31 Mar 1898 in Reading, Berks county, Pennsylvania.
I am still trying to determine the relationship between this family and my HACKERs. I believe Martin’s father Jacob could possibly be a child of George and Christina (MILLER) HACKER, but at this point it is ONLY a suspicion. I have absolutely no evidence of this relationship.
PETER3 PURVIS BONNINGTON (William2, Robert1) was born ca 1844 in Galashiels, Selkirk, Scotland, son of William and Margaret (PURVES/FAIRBORN) BONNINGTON.[1] Peter died in Mayburn, Loanhead, Lasswade Parish, Edinburgh, Scotland, on 16 Sep 1891; he was 47.[2] He was enumerated with his family on the 1851 census for Galashiels, Selkirk, Scotland, at age 8; the 1861 census for Junipergreen, Colinton, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland, at age 18; the 1871 census for Bathgate, Linlithgow, Scotland, at age 28; the census for Bathgate, Linlithgow, Scotland in 1881; the census for Lasswade, Midlothian, Scotland, in 1891. Peter’s occupation was listed variously as carpenter or joiner (journeyman).
On 17 Jun 1864 when Peter Purvis was 20, he married ELIZABETH BUCHANAN, daughter of James BUCHANAN (ca 1812/22—17 Apr 1888) and Sarah CRAIG (ca 1809—bet 1851-1861), in Bloomyhall, Junipergreen, Colinton, Midlothian, Scotland.[3,4,] Elizabeth was born ca 1845/1847. Lanarkshire, Scotland is the most often given location for her birth place, but other places include Ireland, Shotts Parish in Lanarkshire, Neilston in Renfrewshire, Chapelhall in Lanarkshire, and Monkland in Lanarkshire. Elizabeth died of a cerebral hemorrhage in Crown Terrace, Prestonpans, East Lothian, Scotland on 13 May 1928; she was 83.[5]
Elizabeth was enumerated with her family in the 1851 census for Cambusnethan, Lanark, Scotland, at age 6; as a single woman working as a dairymaid in the 1861 census for High Church, Edinburgh, Scotland, age 16; with her husband in the 1871 census for Bathgate, Linlithgow, Scotland, age 26; with her husband in the 1881 census for Bathgate, Linlithgow, Scotland; with her husband the 1891 census for Lasswade, Midlothian, Scotland; with her family the 1901 census for Midlothian, Scotland, at age 56.
Peter and Elizabeth had the following children:
Christian L. Hoover was born sometime between 1820 and 1826 in Pennsylvania.1 His son, Simon’s death certificate is more specific.2 It states the Christian was born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania.3 It is possible that Christian was the son of Philip and Hannah (Thomas) Hoover of Plumcreek township, Armstrong county, Pennsylvania. Christian died in Covington township, Clearfield county, Pennsylvania on 1 Oct 1887; he was 67. 4 According to family sources he was probably buried in probably Oak Hill or Old Oak Hill (also known as Bridgen’s) cemetery, Karthaus township, Clearfield county, Pennsylvania.
Sometime around 1852-1854 Christian first married Caroline Kinnard, daughter of Thomas Kinnard (ca 1798 — bef 4 May 1857) and Maria Fisher (ca 1808 — bef 14 Sep 1865), probably in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania. Caroline was born in 1830-1831 in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania.5 She died in Clearfield county, Pennsylvania on 11 Jul 1883; she was 53. 6 Family information provides multiple burial locations for Caroline. According to one source, she was buried on the Hoover farm, Covington township, Clearfield county, Pennsylvania because the weather was so bad at the time of her death that the family could not get her to the cemetery. Another family source states the Caroline was buried with Christian in either the Oak Hill or Old Oak Hill cemetery.
Christian and Caroline had the following children:
I have had some difficulty in documenting this couple. Census information on this couple is limited. According to the census for Jefferson county, Pennsylvania in 1860, Caroline, Reuben and Samuel were living with a “Catherine” Hoover in Henderson county.7 To date, this is the only census information I’ve been able to find on either Christian or Caroline after their marriage.
It is, however, consistent with other research that places the family in Jefferson county in the late 1850s and 1860s. Both Simon (born 1864)8 and George (born 18659, the younger sons of Christian and Caroline, indicate in official records that they were born in Jefferson county. Legal documents from the Kinnard family also place the family in Jefferson county. According to a “Petition of Benjamin F. Kinnard for Partition of the Estate of Thomas Kinnard deceased,” Thomas and Mary had seven children who were still living at the time of his death in 1858, including “Caroline, married to Christopher Hoover (in Jefferson county).” This document connects our Caroline (Kinnard) Hoover to the daughter of Thomas and Maria (Fisher) Kinnard of Armstrong county.
Additional information seems to place the couple in Jefferson even earlier. A Christian Hoover was drafted in Dec 1864 from Gaskill township in Jefferson county.10 Gaskill township is the next township over from Henderson township. Additionally a Christian Hoover was elected as a school director in Henderson township in 1857.11 And according to tax records a Christ Hoover was included in the 1858 taxables list also for Henderson township.12 If this proves to be our Christian Hoover, then it is likely that Samuel and possibly Reuben were also born in Jefferson county.
So, when and why did the family leave Jefferson county? What made them come to Clearfield county? When did they come to Jefferson county?
After Caroline’s death in 1883, Christian married for a second time in Clearfield county, Pennsylvania. His second wife was Mary A. Conaway. She was born in Mar 1863 in Pennsylvania.13 Mary died sometime after the 1940 census.
Christian and Mary had one child:
After Christian’s death in 1887, Mary sold her rights to the family farm to her step-son, Samuel Hoover. She apparently moved to Jefferson county and remarried as she was listed on the census for Falls Creek Borough, Washington township, Jefferson county, Pennsylvania in 1900 with her new family. According to the 1900 census, Mary had 8 children with Daniel Fry, her new husband, by 1900—though only three of those children—Johny, Lottie, and Lizzie—were still living by that year. 14 By 1920, Mary’s second husband, Daniel, was dead. Mary had a business on Main street—a general store—which she shared with her partner, Albert B. Tudor.15
Jacob Hacker was born 28 Sep 1803, probably in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. He died 26 Jul 1873, probably in Lancaster county, and was buried in Emanuel Lutheran Church cemetery in Brickerville, Warwick township, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. This is the church that my ancestor Johan Adam Hacker attended.
About 1841 Jacob Hacker married Maria Krieg, daughter of John Elias Krieg and Anna Maria Gibbens. Mary was born 5 Aug 1819 and died 22 Mar 1898, both in Pennsylvania, probably in Lancaster county. She, too, is buried in the Emanuel Lutheran Church cemetery.
As far as I know, Jacob and Mary had the following children:
Jacob Hacker’s will reads as follows:
“Jacob Hocker, Dc’d
I, Jacob Hocker of the Township of Elizabeth County of Lancaster, and State of Pennsylvania, being of sound mind, memory and understanding, do make and publish this my last will and testament, hereby revoking and making void all former wills by me at any time heretofore made,
1st I order and direct my body to be decently buried, suitable gravestone to be procured and placed at my grave, and the costs of theses as well as all my other just debts and funeral expenses, to be paid as soon conveniently can be done after my decease,
2nd I give and bequeath to my wife Mary Hocker, such articles of my furniture, as she may select to retain for her use said articles so selected by me wife shall be appraised and the amount deducted from the three hundred dollars to which she is otherwise entitled out of my estate,
3rd I order and direct that the rest and residue of my furniture and all personal property in my possession, to be appraised and sold at public sale,
4th I order and direct, that my real estate shall also be sold, and converted into money as soon as conveniently can be done authorizing my executors, to make good and sufficient title deeds unto the purchase n purchasers thereof
5th I order, will and direct that after all my property both real and personal be converted into money by my hereinafter mentioned executors that all my debts by fully paid and satisfied, and the balance, I give and bequeath to my said wife Mary Hocker, during her lifetime and after her decease, the balance if any remains, to be divided in equal shares to and among my five children namely, Eli, Allen, Martin, Henry and Benjamin Hocker
6th I order, will and direct however, that if my son Eli, should fail to pay the judgment on which I am security—And said judgment must be paid out of the proceeds of my estate he shall not be entitled to any thing after my said wifes decease if anything remains as before stated
7th I appoint my two sons Allen Hocker and Martin Hocker, to be my executors of this my last will and testament, in Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty fifth 25th day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-three (1873)
Jacob his mark X Hocker
signed, sealed, published and declared by the above named Jacob Hocker, to be his last will and testament in the presence of us, who at his request and in his presence have subscribed our names as witnesses therewith
Joel Hippert
Isreal G. Erb
Lancaster County, S.S.On the 13th day of August A.D. 1873 before me the subscribers personally appeared Joel Hippert, and Israel G. Erb Esq., the subscribing witnesses to the preceding will and on their solemn affirmation did declare and say that they were present and saw and heard Jacob Hocker, the testator therein named, sign, seal, publish, pronounce and declare the same to be his last will and testament, and that at the time of the doing thereof he was of sound and well disposing mind, memory and understanding to the best of their knowledge, observation, and belief. J.S. Albright, Depy Regr.
August 13th A.D. 1873, Setters Testamentory granted to Allen Hocker, and Martin Hocker the executors named in the annexed will they being duly affirmed and well and truly to administer the goods and chattels, rights and credits which were of the testate according to the law, and also that they will diligently and faithfully regard and well and truly comply with the provisions of the law relating to collateral inheritance. J.S. Albright Depy Regr”
Update:
I am still trying to determine how this HACKER family fits into our extended HACKER/HOCKER family. The names of his sons are of particular interest. Our Jacob4 HACKER (Frederick3, Johan Adam2, Christoph1) named two of his sons Allen and Henry. He also had grandsons named Elias, Martin, William, and Henry.
Given the birth date of Jacob HACKER he could fit into the family of Johan George3 HACKER, fifth son of Johan Adam2 HACKER, who married Christina MUELLER/MILLER, daughter of Christopher and Maria Barbara (STOBER) MUELLER. This couple stayed in the northern Lancaster County/southern Lebanon County area and is buried in Emanuel Lutheran Church cemetery in Brickerville.
Jacob HACKER could also be a son of John4 HACKER, son of Frederick3 HACKER. John4 married Sarah/Salome MOSER, daughter of Johan Adam and Christina (Prunner) Moser. They had at least three children—John, George, and Lydia—before her death by 1823. John4 then married her sister Susanna MOSER. I have no knowledge of children for this couple. This family is less likely because John’s three children are named in his father-in-law’s will in 1823 as minor heirs.
If you have information on this family or clues to a possible link to the other HACKERs of Lancaster County, please let me know. Many thanks to Nancy Manley for her assistance with this HACKER/GREEK (Krieg) family.
John2 Hocker (Unknown1) was born 6 July 1815 in Hummelstown, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, and died 21 January 1882 in Churchville, now Oberlin, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. He was buried in Churchville Cemetery, Oberlin, Swatara Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.1 John’s occupation, according to census records, varied from brick-maker to farmer to shoemaker.
He married on 3 December 18352, probably in Hummelstown, Sarah Beinhower, daughter of Peter Beinhower (30 November 1787-25 November 1853) and Mary Ann Smith (8 April 1790-4 April 1877). She was born 12 January 1814 in Swatara Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania and died of pneumonia on 12 November 1901 in Middletown, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania where she had gone to visit relatives.3 Sarah was buried 15 November 1901 in the Churchville Cemetery, Oberlin, Swatara Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania with her husband.4
John Hocker’s will states:
“I, John Hocker, of Churchville, Swatara Township, Dauphin county, Pennsylvania. Item; I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Sarah, all my estate real, personal and mixed for her use during her natural life, to use the same or any part thereof for her support and whatever is left at her died is to go to the children of my deceased daughter, Mary Ann, share and share alike.”5
Sarah Hocker’s illness was news in the local papers in Middletown.
“Mrs. Hocker Very Sick— Mrs. Hocker, widow of the late John Hocker, of Oberlin, came to visit her grandaughter, Mrs. C.P. Longenecker at East Middletown bridge, a week ago last Sunday. While there she took sick and her trouble soon developed into pneumonia. At this writing there are no hopes for her recovery. Mrs. Hocker is 87 years old and for many years resided near Good’s fulling mill in Lower Swatara.”6
“Mrs. Hocker, an aged and highly respected lady of this place, and widow of the late John Hocker, died on Tuesday afternoon at 4 o’clock in the 89th year of her age. Mrs. Hocker has gone to visit relatives near Middletown, and while there contracted an attack of pnuemonia which resulted in her death.
The funeral which took place from her late residence in this place on Friday morning at 9:30 was attended by many. Services were held in the United Brethren church, of which she was a consistent member for many years. Interment was made in the cemetery of this place.”7
John and Sarah (Beinhower) Hocker had one child:
This John Hocker was incorrectly attributed to the family of John4 Hocker (Johan Adam3, Johan Adam2, Christoph1) and Catherine Sterling in William Wingeard’s “A German-American HACKER-HOCKER Genealogy.” John4 did, in fact, have a son named John. However, my research shows that his son John removed to Ohio with the rest of his family. Additionally, this John Hocker was born approximately 19 years before John4‘s son, John K. Hocker.
If you have any information on this family, please share.
Adam2 Hocker (Unknown1) was born 19 October 1812 in Hummelstown, Derry Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. He died 26 September 1870, at age of 57 years, 11 months, 7 days in Swatara Township, Dauphin County and is buried in the Churchville cemetery, Oberlin, Swatara Township.[1]
Adam was married in Salem Lutheran Church, possibly in Lebanon County, on 22 February 1838 to Eve Hamaker.[2] She was born 24 June 1817 in Pennsylvania, died 14 November 1892 when age 75 years, 4 months, and 21 days.[3] She was buried with her husband. Eve was the daughter of Adam Hamaker Jr., a farmer of Derry township, Dauphin county, and Mollie Snavely.
Adam was a farmer and they were of the Lutheran faith. The family resided in Derry Township through 1850. In 1852, Adam purchased land in Swatara Township from Henry and Mary Miller, and Michael and Elizabeth Frantz.[4]
After Adam’s death in 1870, guardians were appointed for his children as follows: “Upon the petition of Eve Hocker, widow of Adam Hocker… asks the Court to appoint John Hocker, of Swatara township in said county guardian of” Ann Hocker.[5] The Court appointed Nathaniel Shope as the guardian of Melinda Hocker and Martin Hocker, children over 14 years of age.[6]
Adam Hocker, Jr. petitioned the court to partition his father’s estate in 1870. In the petition her stated that the “decedent left a widow and 9 children, Jacob, John, Adam, Elizabeth Cumbler, wife of George Cumbler, Sarah, David, Melinda, Martin and Anne, all of age except the last 4 named who are minors and have John Hocker and N. Shope for their guardians. All except Jacob, who lives near Fort Union in New Mexico, live in said County Tract situate in Swatara Township adjacent lands of John C. Kunkel, esq., David Hurst, Henry Zimmerman, David Over and others.”[7]
When Eve Hocker died in 1892, her obituary appeared in the Middletown Journal, as follows:
Mrs. Adam Hocker, of Oberlin, died yesterday morning at one o’clock, from paralysis. She was seventy-two years of age and was well known, having lived there for many years. Deceased was a good Christian woman and beloved by all who knew her. Eight grown-up children survive her. The funeral will take place on Friday morning at ten o’clock, and the remains will be buried in the Oberlin cemetery.[8]
Adam and Eve (Hamaker) Hocker had the following children:
This Adam Hocker was incorrectly attributed to the family of John4 Hocker (Johan Adam3, Johan Adam2, Christoph1) and Catherine Stierling in William Wingeard’s A German-American Hacker-Hocker Genealogy. John4 did, in fact, have a son named Adam. However, my research shows that his son Adam removed to Ohio with the rest of the family. Additionally, this Adam Hocker was born approximately 14 years before John4‘s son, Adam.
JOSEPH HACKER was born ca 1812/17 and died sometime after 1880. He appears in the 1850 US census for Elizabeth township, Lancaster county; the 1860 US census for Ephrata; the 1870 US census for Stouchsburg, Berks county; and the 1880 US census for Lebanon (Ward 1), Berks county.
Circa 1845, Joseph married SUSANNA (___). She was born about 1825/27 and died after 1880, possibly on 9 Feb 1898 in Lebanon county. She may have been buried in Stouchsburg, Lebanon county, Pennsylvania.
According to census records, Joseph and Susanna had the following children:[1]
I believe Joseph may have been the son of Johan George3 HACKER (Johan Adam2, Christoph1) and Christina MUELLER, who was christened 21 Jul 1816 in Saint Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran or formerly Heidelberg Congregation, Schaefferstown, Lebanon, Pennsylvania. Additionally, the Catharine HACKER living in his household in the 1850 United States census could very well have been a sister.
George3 Hacker (Johan Adam2, Christoph1) was the fifth son of Johan Adam and Maria Elisabetha (Weidman) Hacker. He was born 9 Oct 1766 and christened 12 Oct 1766 in the Warwick congregation (now Emanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church) in Brickerville, sponsored by Lorenz Haushalter and wife (his uncle and aunt).1 He died 12 Sep 1846 and was buried in the Emanuel Lutheran Church cemetery.2
George married Christina Miller, daughter of Christopher Miller and Maria Barbara Stober of Cocalico township, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, before 1814.3 Christina was born 1 Jan 17784 and died 29 Oct 1858.5 She is buried in the Emanuel Lutheran Church cemetery with her husband.
I have only been able to locate data on one possible child of George and Christina, as follows:
Census records don’t show George as head of household until 1810 when he is listed in Cocalico township.8 He is in Lebanon township in 1820, living alongside Christopher Miller, most likely his brother-in-law.9 I have been unable to find him either 1830 or 1840 U.S. Federal census records. Christopher Miller, however, is back in Lancaster county, in Elizabeth township in 1830 through 1850.
Lancaster county tax records show a George Hacker in 1791, his status “freeman.”10 I’m assuming that this is Johan Adam’s son George as Adam’s brother Johan George had moved his family to Erdenheim (outside Philadelphia) in 1763 and Frederick’s son George (Johan George’s nephew) was an infant. He is listed in 1796—1799 tax records together with Frederick, his brother. In 1800, he’s listed separately, but in 1801—1803 they are listed together again. In 1805, George is listed as having 10 acres valued at $600, having 1 saw or grist mill. George, the miller, is also listed in 1806, 1807, and 1808. There my tax records end.
In 1817 George purchased land in Lebanon county with his brother-in-law Christopher Miller.11 On 21 Jul 1816, George and Christina had a child, Joseph, baptized in Shaefferstown at St. Luke’s church, and they sponsored baptisms at Shaefferstown in 1815 and 1817.12 In Nov 1817, George sponsored a child’s baptism at Salem Lutheran church in Lebanon.13
However, that’s where the trail goes cold. I have nothing on him, including the births of other children, tax records, or land transactions, until his burial at Emanuel Lutheran Church.
CHRISTINA2 HACKER (Christoph1, StephenA) was born on 25 December 1723 in Rußheim, Württemberg, Germany. On 8 November 1746 when Christina was 22, she married JOHAN MICHAEL LANG, also in Rußheim. Michael was born in Germany, though we do not know where. His parents and date of birth are also unknown to me.
Michael and Christina (Hacker) Lang entered Philadelphia on the ship Rawley on 23 October 1752, accompanied by Christina’s parents, and her sister and brother-in-law, Lorentz and Margaretha (Hacker) Haushalter/Householder.[1] Michael took allegiance to the King of England that same day. Christina was not quite 29 years of age when they came and we do not know whether they brought any children with them. Only the adult males were registered when boarding the ship.
The couple settled in Cocalico Township in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, probably near Christina’s parents and brothers. Christina and Michael likely died some time between 1780 and 1790. A Michael Lange and wife appear in a list of communicants for Emanuel Lutheran Church in Brickerville, Elizabeth Township, Lancaster County for the “First Sunday after Trinity” 1780.[2] Since their son Michael Jr. did not marry his wife Christina until 1781, it is likely that this entry refers to this couple.
Additionally, a Michael Lang/Long also appears as a landowner in the tax records of Lancaster County from 1756 and 1759, then again in 1779 and 1780.[3] A Michael Lang/Long also appears in the tax records from 1783 through 1802. However, since both father and son were married and living (presumably) in Cocalico Township, the fact that only one of them appears in the tax record leads me to believe that the father had died. No burial location for Christina and Michael is known.
To my knowledge, Michael and Christina (Hacker) Lang had two children, a son and a daughter, as follows:
In subsequent generations, the spelling of the family’s surname LANG (pronounced Long) was anglicized and changed to Long.