Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Hack, John 1825 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 8, 2007, 12:54 am Author: Portrait & Bio Album, 1890 JOHN HACK. In the southeastern part of the town of Beecher is a thriving mercantile establishment owned and operated by the above-named gentleman, who began this enterprise in 1878. The building is a good one and a well-selected stock of general merchandise is kept within it. Mr. Hack has been quite successful in his business career and has become well known to the residents of this vicinity as one from whom they are sure of honorable dealing and courteous treatment. From an honored ancestry he inherits many sterling qualities, while from worthy parents he received excellent home training. Mr. Hack was born in Schwerin, Mecklenburg, Germany, September 1, 1825, being the first-born in a family of four sons and one daughter. One son is now living in Germany, one gave his life in defense of the Union during the late war, and the other members of the household band are living in Illinois. The parents were Gotlieb and Sophia (Rekopf) Hack, the former being a small farmer in their native duchy. There they lived until 1864, when they accompanied their son, our subject, to America, living with him during the remainder of their lives. The father died in Washington Township, this county, in 1875, having passed his four-score years of age. The mother survived some years, breathing her last in Beecher when quite old. Both belonged to the Lutheran Church. After receiving a good education under the laws of his native land, young Hack learned the trade of a shoemaker, which he followed so long as he lived in that country. Having been led to believe that a better field for his energies would be opened to him in the New World, he crossed the Atlantic, as before stated, and coming direct to the Prairie State began agricultural work on a farm in Washington Township, this county. In 1865 he took possession of another farm, which was in almost a raw state and which he placed under excellent improvement. It consisted of one hundred and sixty acres on sections 26 and 35, and under his efficient control became valuable and attractive. He continued his agricultural labors for there nearly a decade and then embarked in the business which he is still conducting so successfully. At the bride's home in Mecklenburg, Mr. Hack was united in marriage with Miss Sophia Luth, an estimable lady, who was born in the same town as her husband. Her natal day was October 12, 1828, and her parents, Joachin and Sophia (Schoder) Luth, who lived and died in Mecklenburg. Both were members of the Lutheran Church and lived to a good old age. The father was occupied in farming. Mrs. Hack is the only daughter and has four brothers, all still living in the Fatherland. Mr. and Mrs. Hack remained in the land of their birth for some years after their marriage, finally setting sail from Hamburg on the steamer "Saxony," from which they landed in New York. They have had eight children, five of whom were born in Germany. William, William C. and Theodore died in early life; Herman married Eva Ruge and lives on a farm in Ash Grove Township, Iroquois County; Henry married Mary Bielfeldt and is now running the Bielfeldt House at Beecher; Carl A. resides in the same place, being a member of the firm of C. Bielfeldt & Co., whose business is sinking tubular wells; Frank is a clerk in his father's store, residing under the parental roof; Emma L. is still at home, and she also assists her parents in the store. The entire family belong to the Lutheran Church and are looked upon with regard by all who know them. Mr. Hack has served as Postmaster for a time. His political influence and vote is given to the Republican party. Additional Comments: Portrait and Biographical Album of Will County, Illinois, Containing Full Page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the County; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1890 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/hack1371nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 4.4 Kb