Author: Kris Hocker

Herbert Hershey Hocker Obituary

Here’s a transcription of the obituary of Herbert Hershey Hocker (1865—1946), son of Levi and Anna (Frantz) Hocker. Hershey married Sarah J. Bower, daughter of John and Amanda (___) Bower, 1 Apr 1906 in Yoe, Pennsylvania. 1

“H. Hershey Hocker

Funeral services for H. Hershey Hocker, 554 Race Street, who died Tuesday night after a lingering illness at his home, will be held tomorrow at 2 p.m. at the funeral home at 1334 North Second street. The Rev. A.M. Billman, pastor of Fourth Reformed Church, will officiate. Burial will be in the Oberlin Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home this evening from 7 to 9 o’clock.

A grocer in the South Harrisburg area for several years, Mr. Hocker was 79 years old and formerly lived in Oberlin.

In addition to his wife, Mrs. Sarah J. Hocker, he is survived by a sister, Mrs. Margaret Hughes, York, and several nieces and nephews.” 2

 

Photo: David Elmer Hocker Butter Pretzel Baking Co. Truck

David Elmer Hocker and Pretzel truck

David Elmer Hocker and Pretzel truck

David Elmer Hocker was listed as a baker in the 1910 US census and as a baker for the Butter Pretzel Baking Co. in 1930. According to the above photo, David Hocker was the proprietor of the Butter Pretzel Baking Co. in Harrisburg. His sons were also employees of the company in 1930.

Tuesday Tombstone: Christiana Miller (1778—1858)

Christiana (Miller) Hocker (1778—1858)

Christiana (Miller) Hocker (1778—1858)

Christiana MILLER, daughter of Christopher and Maria Barbara (STOBER) MUELLER, was born 1 Jan 1778 in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania and died 29 Oct 1858. She was the wife of George HOCKER, son of Johan “Hans” Adam and Maria Elisabetha (WEIDMAN) HACKER. Christiana was buried in the Emanuel Lutheran Church (originally the Warwick Congregation) Cemetery in Brickerville, Pennsylvania.

Photo: David Elmer Hocker family

David Elmer and Carrie May (Baker) Hocker family

David Elmer and Carrie May (Baker) Hocker family

David Elmer Hocker, son of Jacob L. and Susanna (Etzweiler) Hocker, was born 12 Aug 1880 in Buck county, Missouri and died 8 Sep 1945 in Pennsylvania. He married Carrie May Baker, daughter of Henry J. and Sarah A. (___) Baker, on 15 Oct 1867 in Halifax township, Dauphin county, Pennsylvania. David and Carrie had two sons: Chester Earl Hocker (1898—1979) and Clyde Dewey Hocker (1900—1957).

George Hocker’s Will

This extraction is taken from the last will and testament of George Hocker (1794—1873). The will was dated 13 Sep 1783 and probated 14 Nov 1873. 1

George HOCKER devised as follows:

“#1 To my widow Catharine, all household and kitchen furniture in the house, except what belongs to daughter. Margaret and son George, she to have choice of 2 cows, 2 hogs, and I give her $500 cash out of my Government bonds, to be paid 1 month after my death.

#2  To widow during her lifetime, the house and buildings, garden, etc., where I now live in Swatara township, adjacent my farm and the land of Josiah ESPY, also the interest on $5,000 paid to her yearly out of my farm.

#3 The balance of my bonds, notes, stocks, etc. to my daughter. Margaret and during her lifetime, after my widow’s death, the house, etc., and after her died to son George in fee simple.

#4 My farm on the Harrisburg and Ephrata turnpike, adjacent Josiah ESPY, J. SNAVELY, Samuel GRAY and others containing, except for above devised, about 117 acres to my son George HOCKER, Jr., and his heirs and assigns, with the right to water at the pump where I live, he paying ‘-2 the expense of upkeeping the pump.

#5 I give to my widow $2,000 on said farm for her use and son George, or whoever holds said farm, I charge the farm $5,000 and to pay my widow interest on said $5,000. at 6%.

#6 After my widow’s death, the above $5,000 to be paid as follows: $500 to daughter Isemiah WAGNER, wife of Henry WAGNER, the next year $500 to my son Levi, 3rd year, like son, to Mrs. Wagner and then $500 a year to Levi until he gets $2,000 and then the remaining $2,000 to be paid to my said daughter Margaret in payments of $500 each and additional payments by son George to Margaret to make her share out of my whole Estate $7,000 in payments of $500 per year, after the other payments aforesaid.

#8 To son Levi, 10 acres of mountain land in West Hanover township

#9 I give less to Isemiah and Levi because I previously gave them from my Estate

#10 daughter Margaret and son George to be my Executors.”

George’s widow was his second wife Catherine COCKLIN, daughter of Jacob and Mary Margaret (HOOVER) COCKLIN. George had two children with his first wife Mary Magdalena LANDIS, daughter of Henry and Catherine (___) LANDIS: Isemiah (1821—aft 1880), wife of Henry WAGNER, and Levi HOCKER (1824—1876). George had three children with his second wife: David (1838—1862), Mary Margaret (1842—1906), and George Jr. (1848—1927). David, having predeceased his father, was not named in the will.

Footnotes:

Photo: Jacob L. Hocker’s Children

Jacob L. Hocker & sons

Jacob L. Hocker children

Jacob L. Hocker, son of John Peter and Nancy (WELPMER) HOCKER, was born Jun 1850 and died sometime between 1920 and 1930. He married first Susanna (___), and second Ida May MUTTERSPAUGH. Jacob and Susanna had at least eight children, as follows:

  1. John W. Hocker, b. ca Mar 1870, Middle Paxton township, Dauphin county, Pennsylvania
  2. Elias Hocker, b. ca 1873, Pennsylvania
  3. Franklin Edward Hocker, b. 16 Jan 1875, Lebanon county, Pennsylvania
  4. Peter L. Hocker, b. ca 1877/8, Pennsylvania
  5. David Elmer Hocker, b. 12 Aug 1880, Buck county, Missouri
  6. Emma Ella (Hocker) Fertig, b. 13 Oct 1885, Dauphin Boro, Dauphin county, Pennsylvania
  7. Jacob L. Hocker Jr., b. 1890, Dauphin county, Pennsylvania
  8. Clifford Carl Hocker, b. 1897/8, Dauphin Boro, Dauphin county, Pennsylvania

Photo: 1833 Fuhrman-Hocker Marriage Announcement

Fuhrman Hocker marriage announcement

Fuhrman Hocker marriage announcement

Elizabeth HOCKER, daughter of Martin and Barbara A. (SMITH) HOCKER, married John FUHRMAN Jr. (also FOREMAN), son of John and Mary (___) FOREMAN, on 15 Sep 1833, probably in Derry township, Dauphin county, Pennsylvania.

Tuesday Tombstone: George Hocker (1766-1846)

George HACKER (1766—1846)

George HACKER (1766—1846)

George HOCKER, son of Johan “Hans” Adam and Maria Elisabetha (WEIDMAN) HACKER, was born 9 Oct 1776 in Cocalico township, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania and died 12 Sep 1846, age 79 years, 11 months, 3 days. He was buried in the Emanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery in Brickerville, Pennsylvania.

Friday Finds: Adam HACKER’s Land Warrant

Johan Adam Hacker's Land Warrant

Johan Adam Hacker's Land Warrant

This is the land warrant for one of Adam HACKER’s properties in Cocalico township, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. I originally found it at the Lancaster County Courthouse, but you can also find the warrant indices and copied Warrant book online at the Pennsylvania State Arcives website.

I also found records for George HACKER, Adam’s brother; Martin WEIDMAN, Adam and George’s father-in-law; and Lawrence HOUSEHOLDER, Adam and George’s brother-in-law, in Lancaster county. In Fayette county, I found records for Andrew HOOVER, Jacob HOOVER, and George HOOVER, sons of Andrew HOOVER Sr.; and William KERNS, George HOOVER’s son-in-law. Armstrong county records yielded the warrants for Christian and Philip HOOVER, son and grandson of George HOOVER.