1. WILLIAM HACKER 2. UNKNOWN
HACKER 3. UNKNOWN HACKER 4. UNKNOWN
HACKER 5. FRANCIS HACKER I 6. FRANCIS HACKER II 7.
FRANCIS HACKER III
8. WILLIAM HACKER 9. JOHN J. HACKER 10.
JOHN HACKER
JR.
11. WILLIAM HACKER
William Hacker was born near Urbana, O., Dec. 5, 1810. He
had very poor educational privileges, attending school only about two
months in the year, but he availed himself of every opportunity to gain
useful knowledge and acquired much general information. Until the age of
seventeen he worked on his father's farm, in Montgomery county, Ohio, and
then learned a trade in Dayton, serving an apprenticeship of four years.
In 1838 with his father, he removed to Indiana and a year later located
in Shelbyville, which was his home until his death. In 1838 he engaged in
Mercantile trade, but was soon obliged to abandon his business on account
of failing health.
In 1839 he and Miss Mary Ann Sargent, of Pennsylvania,
were united in marriage.
In 1841 he was elected justice of the peace, and held the office
for five years, during three years of which time he also collected the
revenues of the county for the treasurer. He was secretary of a railroad
company for several years, and in 1851 again tried selling merchandise,
but was compelled to give it up owing to poor health. In 1852, he was
again elected justice of the peace, which office he held thirteen years.
During the latter part of this period his hearing became so defective that
he was compelled to retire from active business and professional life.
Mr. Hacker took great interest in Masonry. He attained the
highest grades in both the York and Scottish Rites, and was seldom absent
from any meeting of the Grand Lodge, Grand Commandery or State Consistory.
Tall, erect and slender, with long white hair and beard, his presence
always attracted attention. He was regarded by many as the "father of
Masonry" in this State. He was an enthusiastic member of the fraternity,
and was considered an authority on all matters pertaining to the order.
His library of Masonic works was the most complete in the West. A few
years ago he presented it to the Scottish Rite. It was given a prominent
place in the social rooms of the temple, where it is known as the "William
Hacker library."
Mr. Hacker received the Master Mason degree in St. John Lodge,
No. 13, at Dayton, O., in July, 1832. In 1835 he was elected worshipful
master of Shelby Lodge, which position he often filled in after years. In
1845 he became a member of the Grand Lodge, and in 1863 was chosen grand
master. Retiring in 1865, he was immediately elected grand secretary but
resigned three years later. In 1845 he was made a Royal Arch Mason and in
1848 became a member of the Grand Chapter, of which he was grand high
priest from 1855 to 1861. From May, 1865, to October, 1868, he was grand
secretary of the Grand Chapter. In 1856, at Hartford, Conn., he was made a
member of the General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the United
States. For twelve years in succession he was elected an officed in that
body, reaching the station of exalted grand king. Mr. Hacker was also a
member of the council, and in 1855 helped organize the Grand Council of
Indiana, of which he was presiding officer six years, and afterwards grand
recorder.
Mr. Hacker was also connected with the Independent Order of
Odd-fellows. Besides holding other offices, he served as conductor in the
Grand Lodge, and junior warden in the Grand Encampment. He took great
interest in temperance, and was also prominent in church and Sunday school
work, being a member of the Methodist Episcopal denomination. In early
manhood Mr. Hacker was an ardent politician, and was a warm admirer of
Henry Clay. When the Free-soil Republican party was organized, he became
one of its supporters. The only public office he ever held, outside of
justice of the peace, was Mayor of Shlebyville, in 1851.
Submitted by Phyllis
Miller Fleming |
Known Children of William and Mary Ann (Sargent) Hacker
William A. Carmi, IL |
|
b. |
d. |
|
m. |
b. |
d. |
Thomas S. Indianapolis |
|
b. |
d. |
|
m. |
b. |
d. |
Unknown |
|
b. |
d. |
Thomas Randall Seattle, WA |
m. |
b. |
d. |
Unknown |
|
b. |
d. |
T.B. Jennings Topeka, KS |
m. |
b. |
d. |
Unknown |
|
b. |
d. |
Caughey Fleming |
m. |
b. |
d. |
Unknown |
|
b. |
d. |
Jacob Conrey |
m. |
b. |
d. |
|