BIO:  The Höck (Hake) Family, York County, PA

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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, Historical Editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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Part II, Biographical Sketches, Manchester Township, Pg 137

THE HÖKE (HAKE) FAMILY.  An old family bible which has come down to the present, 
states:  Jacob Höck (always written thus in the German) was born June 10, 1724, 
in Hanau Land, Holzhausen, Germany; his father was John Frederick Höck, and his 
mother was Anna Catharine Foobach; she was born at Rothine, a small half hour 
from Holzhausen.  The Provincial Council of Pennsylvania adopted a resolution 
September 14, 1727, that the masters of Vessels transporting Germans and others 
from the Continent of Europe, take a list of emigrants “from whence they came.”  
Those who could write were obliged to subscribe their names in their own hand.  
These lists, are still preserved at Harrisburg.  Some old deeds and writings, 
contained the signatures of our forefathers, have been preserved to the present, 
and comparing these with the ones on the lists at Harrisburg, we find they 
correspond to signatures on lists in the years of 1748 and 1749.  “September 15, 
1748, Foreigners imported in the Two Brothers, Thomas Arnott, Master, from 
Rotterdam, last from Portsmouth;” Jacob Höck.  “September 26, 1749, Foreigners 
from Hanau, Wirtenberg, Darmstadt and Eisenberg, Shop Ranier, Henry Brownnin, 
Master, from Rotterdam last from England.  277 passengers;” John Frederick Höck, 
John Conrad Höck.  The above facts show that our family immigrated to America in 
the years 1748 and 1749; Jacob Höck in 1748, and we have a number of reasons to 
believe he was the elder son; September 26, 1749, the father, John Frederick 
Höck, the founder of the family, and John Conrad, a son, probably the younger 
son.  We have not been able to discover if they settled in York County 
immediately or not.  We are inclined to believe they did.  As early as April, 
1752, we find a record, the baptism of a child of said Jacob Höck – Maria Barbra 
– born January 24, 1752, baptized April 26, 1752, at Christ Evangelical Lutheran 
Church, York.  March 25, 1753, John Frederick Höck and wife, Anna Catharine, 
stood god-father and god-mother to the child of John Adam Schedle, a son, John 
Frederick, at same church.  Among the old papers still in possession of the 
family we find a draft of a tract of land No. 3048.  This tract was formerly 
owned by Gottfried W. Noedel, of York, owned at present by Louis Zurn, of 
Philadelphia.  From a deed we extract:  “Michael Houck, by his deed poll of 5 
August, 1755, for the consideration therein mentioned, did grant and convey all 
his right, title and interest of in and to a certain Improvement and tract of 
Land situate in Codorus Township unto a certain Frederick Heck.  And the said 
Frederick Oblad Heck, an order to survey and lay out the same by his Application 
No. 3048 for 200 acres, bearing date at Philadelphia, 3 March, 1767.  And 
whereas the said Frederick Heck afterward died intestate, being so seized of 
said Improvement, and Tract of Land and Order of Survey, together with other 
Land in said County of York, leaving lawful issue to survive him to witz:  
Conrad Heck, Jacob Heck and Phillipina, the wife of Phillip Wintermeyer.  And 
whereas in pursuance of Application and Order of Survey aforesaid there was 
surveyed and laid out after the death of the said Frederick Heck, for the use of 
his issue (7 May, 1771), aforesaid, the above recited Improvement and Tract of 
Land.”  The time of death of Frederick Höck, the father, we have not been able 
to determine definitely.  He stood god-father to a child of his son-in-law, 
Phillip Wintermyer, on January 1, 1768.  Letters of administration in common 
form were granted to Jacob Hake of the estate of Frederick Hake, late of York 
County, yeoman, deceased on September 9, 1770.  Of the daughter Phillipina, wife 
of Phillip Wintermyer, we have not been able to get much information.  We have 
knowledge of two children:  Anna Catharine, born December 3, 1767, and Susanna, 
born August 6, 1776, both baptized at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, York.  
The said Phillip Wintermyer came to America October 25, 1748.  He received tract 
No. 3048, by deed of release of Conrad Hake and Jacob Hake November 2, 1771.  
Sold the same to Peter Miller July 20, 1773.  A tract of 164 acres was surveyed 
to him in Manchester Township April 9, 1778, in pursuance of a warrant dated the 
24th day of March, 1767.  Present owner of this tract, Samuel Glatfelter.  The 
last assessment we can find of him in Manchester Township is 1801.  Conrad Höck, 
one of the two sons and probably the younger, arrived with his father, John 
Frederick, in America, as previously given, September 26, 1749.  A warrant was 
taken out by said Conrad on February 24, 1767, for “about 200 acres situate in 
Dover (now Conewago) Township, including his improvement about four or five 
miles from York.”  This tract passed to his “eldest son,” Christian, from him to 
his younger brother, Frederick, and by public sale after decease of Frederick to 
George Loucks, of West Manchester Township, on March 31, 1832, whose son, Israel 
Loucks of York, is present owner.  Said Conrad was assessed to 150 acres in 
Dover (now Conewago Township) in 1780.  In 1781 he was assessed to one lot in 
Carlisle, Cumberland County.  In 1783 to one house and lot in same place.  Made 
his will at Carlisle, February 7, 1785.  Letters testamentary were issued in 
common form March 7, 1785, to Elizabeth (wife) and Jacob Greason.  We extract 
from above will:  “My eldest son, Christian Hick, shall have the profit of my 
plantation in Dover (now Conewago) Township, as long as his Mother lives” “My 
son, Frederick possess the House that I have in Carlisle during the life of his 
mother.”  “My son, Christian, shall have it in his choice to take either the 
plantation or house in Carlisle to possess.”  “My eldest daughter, Anna Maria 
Greaves.” “Second daughter, Catharine Ottenberger.”  “Third daughter, Phillipina 
Hoofman.”  “Fourth daughter, Susanna Fisher.”  “Second” daughter Catharine, wife 
of Jacob Ottenberger, second husband Jacob Wiser, of Carlisle; “Third” daughter, 
wife of Nicholas Hoofman, lived in York County, Quickel’s Church.  Their 
children were:  John Jacob (eldest, born January, 1780), John Phillip, Anna 
Maria, Susanna, Henry and Nicholas.  Of Anna Maria Greaves, Catharine 
Ottenberger, afterward Wiser, and Susanna Fisher I have not learned anything.  
Christian, the “eldest son,” was assessed to a farm in Dover Township in 1782-
83; 1785-87 to a house and lot in Carlisle; 1788-89 to a farm in North Middleton 
Township, Cumberland County.  He settled in Trumbull County, Ohio, but at what 
time I have not discovered.  His children were Christian, who came from Ohio and 
married Elizabeth Hake, of the branch of Jacob Höck, and lived near Quickel’s 
Church; their children living and dead are Susanna, wife of Benjamin Deardorff; 
Sarah, wife of Andrew Beuhler; Elizabeth, wife of Henry Loucks, and Samuel.  The 
other children of Christian Hake, Sr., were Frederick, one of whose sons is 
Jesse S. Hake, superintendent of public instructions of Wayne County, Neb.  The 
remaining children of Christian Hake, Sr., were George, Samuel, Elizabeth, Maria 
Barbra, wife of Samuel Wanemaker, and Catharine.  The younger son of Conrad 
Höck, Frederick, who lived on the homestead, the farm now owned by Israel 
Loucks, of York, died April 12, 1830.  The farm was sold March 31, 1832, and the 
family shortly after moved to Trumbull County, Ohio.  The children were 
Elizabeth, John Phillip, Daniel, Frederick, John George; Catharine, wife of 
Michael Wire, Conrad, Samuel, David, Mary, wife of Jacob Holabush, and Jacob.  
John Phillip, Daniel, Frederick, John George and David or some of the 
descendants of each – live in Jefferson County, Wis.  The children of Jacob 
were:  Emanuel, Elizabeth, wife of Jacob Core, now living at Highspire, Dauphine 
County; John A. Hake, Pittsburgh, and Daniel J. Hake, of Middletown, Dauphin 
County.  Jacob Höck, the other son who arrived in America, September 15, 1748, 
was born June 10, 1724 – wife Susanna Dorothea.  He received his naturalization 
papers of the supreme court held at Philadelphia, September 24, 1762, under King 
George III, king of England.  “Before William Allen and William Coleman, Esqs., 
judges of the said court, between the Hours of 9 and 12 of the Clock in the 
Forenoon of the same Day, Jacob Heck, of Manchester, in the county of York, 
being a Foreigner, and having inhabited and resided for the Space of Seven Years 
in His Majesty’s Colonies in America, and not having been absent out of some of 
the said Colonies for a longer Time than Two Months at any one Time during the 
said seven Years; and the said Jacob Heck having produced to the said Court a 
Certificate of his having taken the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper within Three 
Months before the said Court,” etc.  This interesting document was found among a 
number of old papers, which have passed down directly through the several 
generations, and are still in the possession of the family.  The earliest record 
of said Jacob Höck, in York County, is the baptism of his daughter, Maria 
Barbra, April 26, 1752, at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, York.  April 9, 
1761, he bought of Sebastian Fink, of Dover Township, twenty acres of land “by 
little Conewago.”  February 23, 1762, he sold to George Stevenson, of York Town, 
Esq., “The plantation and tract of land whereon I lately dwelt, situate on 
branch of Codorus Creek, in Codorus Township.”  The same was surveyed to Tobias 
Amspoker in pursuance of warrant dated at Philadelphia, March 9, 1753.  He must 
have moved to Manchester Township from Codorus Township between April 9, 1761, 
and February 23, 1762.  He made his will October 6, 1802.  He signed a receipt 
December 10, 1802.  His son, Andrew, received letters of administration November 
2, 1803.  His children were Maria Barbra, born January 24, 1752.  Probably died 
without issue as she is not mentioned in the will.  The other children, as given 
in the will, are Andrew, Frederick, “my daughter Lousia intermarried to Jacob 
Barr,” “my daughter, Mary Elizabeth, intermarried with George Neyman.”  Of 
Lousia Hake, born September 9, 1761, the wife of Jacob Barr, I have not been 
able to learn anything.  Mary Elizabeth Hake, born July 22, 1756, wife of George 
Neiman, who was born September 1, 1750.  Their children were:  Susanna, wife of 
Daniel Jacoby, moved to Somerset County, Penn., and from there to Ohio; Maria 
Elizabeth, wife of George Benedict; George, born January 30, 1782.  His children 
living and dead are Catharine, wife of Jacob Hake, Manchester Township; Sarah, 
wife of David Maish; Levi Maish, ex-congressman, a son; Eliza, wife of Jacob 
Shettle; Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Shettle; John Neiman, York; George, Samuel R. 
and Adam R. Neiman, of Conewago Township; Mary, wife of Solomon Shettle; 
Rebecca, wife of Peter Altland; Lavina, wife of Henry Hoofman; Susanna, wife of 
Jacob Rudy, and Leah, wife of William Metzger.  Michael, born February 16, 1785, 
no information.  Jacob’s descendants were living in and by Indianopolis.  Maria 
Catharine was born December 9, 1786, wife of John Jacoby; descendants are:  
Rebecca, wife of John Ginter; Catharine, wife of Henry Fink; Leah, wife of Jacob 
Miller; Eli Miller, of York, a son; Eliza, wife of Christian Miller; Lydia, wife 
of John Charleston, and John Jacoby.  Andrew Neiman was born November 5, 1790; 
his children were:  Jacob; Mary Ann, wife of Daniel Gross; Andrew, Leah; 
William, husband of Susanna Hake, and Levi.  Margret was born August 25, 1794, 
wife of Peter Boose; children living and dead are Elizabeth, wife of John 
Zimmerman; John, Peter, Mrs. Daniel Hake, York, a daughter; Jacob and Catharine, 
wife of Jacob Christine.  Mary was the wife of Jacob Meisenhelder; their 
children were Elizabeth, widow of John Spar; Mary Ann, wife of Peter Boyer; 
Catharine, wife of ------ Wynkoop; Emanuel, Samuel, one of whose sons is Dr. 
Meisenhelder, of York; Lavinia, wife of John Shellabarger.  Jacob Höck, a 
brother to Conrad Höck, who died at Carlisle 1785, had two sons:  Andrew and 
John Frederick.  Andrew was the elder; born March 13, 1754; baptized at Christ 
Evangelical Lutheran Church, York; his children were in the order of their age:  
Anna Mary, Jacob, Andrew, Frederick, Susanna Catharine, Simon, John, Elizabeth, 
Salome and Sarah.  The children of Anna Mary, the wife of Sebastian Fink, were 
Allen, Sarah, the wife of Jacob Zest, and Anna Maria, the wife of David Cocklin.  
Jacob Hake; wife, Anna Mary Copenhafer, their children in order of age:  John; 
Mary, the wife of Adam Free; Jacob; Leah, the wife of Jacob Fahs; Sarah, the 
wife of Frederick Schindle; Frederick; Elizabeth, wife of John Resser; Andrew: 
Henry; Catharine, wife of Peter Good; Daniel; Susanna, the wife of William 
Neiman; Elias and Lousia Anna, who died single.  They reside, or some of the 
descendants – John, Jacob, Henry, Mrs. Frederick Schindle, Mrs. Peter Good, Mrs. 
William Neiman – in Manchester Township; Mrs. Adam Free, Mrs. Jacob Fahs, 
Frederick and Daniel Hake, in York; Mrs. John Resser, Conewago; Andrew and Elias 
Hake, in Fairview Township.  Next in age to Jacob was Andrew, who moved to 
Baltimore a good many years ago.  His descendants write their name Hack.  Their 
children were Augustus A.; William A.; Frederick A.; Elizabeth, wife of David 
Ruthraff; Mary A., wife of Morris J. Jones.  Next in age, Frederick, who lived 
in Conewago Township.  His children, living and dead, are:  Sallie, wife of John 
Schindle; Andrew; Elizabeth, wife of Deweese Beck; Julia, wife of Abraham 
McNeal; John, Henry and William Hake.  Next in order of age Susanna, wife of 
Jacob Wilt, had two daughters.  Leah, the wife of William Tyler, one of whose 
daughters – Margaret, the widow of John B. Eversole – lives at Middletown, 
Dauphin County.  The other daughter of Jacob Wilt was Julia, the wife of George 
W. Geiselman.  Next in age, Catharine, wife of Henry Grove; they had two 
children:  Henry Hake Grove, one of whose sons is Dr. Eugene Grove, of Carlisle, 
and Susanna C., the wife of Rev. John Ulrich.  Simon was the next in age, who 
probably died without issue.  Next in order of age was John, who moved to 
Baltimore at an early day, and his descendants write their name Hack.  His 
children, living and dead, are:  Susanna; Mary Anna, wife of James H. Warner; 
John W.; Orlando V.; Oliver F. Hack, attorney, Baltimore; Elizabeth, Andrew C. 
and George W. Hack.  Next in order of age was Elizabeth, wife of Christian Hake, 
grandson of Conrad Höck; their children, living and dead, are Susanna, wife of 
Benjamin Deardorff; Sarah, wife of Andrew Beuhler; Elizabeth, wife of Henry 
Loucks; Samuel and Andrew.  Salome, next in age, probably died without issue.  
Sarah, the youngest, wife of Joseph Kroft; their children, living and dead, are 
Mary Ann, wife of Eli Free; Washington, Hack, Oliver, John Andrew, Frederick 
Augustus, Sarah and Amanda.  The younger of the two sons of Jacob Höck, John 
Frederick and brother to Andrew, whose descendants we have enumerated, was born 
June 5, 1759.  We give his descendants as far as we have been able to learn.  
Jacob is probably the eldest; two children:  Leah, wife of Michael Gross, and 
Daniel Hake, Manchester Borough.  Henry, who lived at McKnightstown, Adams 
County, had two children:  Peter and Harriet, both died without issue.  Anna 
Maria, wife of George Gross; their children, living and dead, are Adam, George, 
John, Anna Mary and Elizabeth.  John, one child – Leah, widow of Jacob Eppley, 
Manchester Borough.  Next in age two daughters:  Susanna and Sarah, no knowledge 
of any descendants.  Frederick known as “Captain,” move to Lynchburg, Va., about 
1825 or 1830.  His children were, as far as we have been able to learn, Helen 
Mary, wife of Mr. Thomas; Susanna, wife of Mr. Oaks; Frederick and Annie.  
Elizabeth, wife of George Smith, a daughter of said John Frederick; their 
descendants, living and dead, are:  Sarah, wife of Thomas Bennett; Samuel, 
Daniel and Elizabeth.  Peter, the last we have to enumerate of the children of 
John Frederick Hake, lived at McKnightstown, where the most of his descendants 
still live.  His children, living and dead, are:  Henry, Peter, James, Matilda, 
William A., Abraham and Anna Mary, wife of Aaron Loher.

                                         E. G. Hake, M. D.