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William Charles Hecker

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Birth	:	11 Jan 1838 Germany
Death	:	28 Nov 1908 Hooper, Dodge County, Nebraska, USA
Burial	:	Saint Ignatius Cemetery, Oxon Hill, Prince George's County, USA
Coordinate	:	38.8041992, -76.9672012
Plot	:	Section 1, Lot 69, Grave 4
Description	:	The Hooper Sentinel December 3, 1908 Civil War Veteran Answers Roll Call William Charles Hecker died at his home in this city at six o'clock, Saturday evening, Nov. 28, 1908, after an extended illness, death being attributed to stomach trouble. A little over a year ago he submitted to an operation for the trouble and received temporary benefit but it again returned and for the past month he has been on a rapid decline. He was a devoted husband and father and was appreciated as a man of worth: honesty and confidence in his fellowman were ever to the forefront... Read More	The Hooper Sentinel December 3, 1908 Civil War Veteran Answers Roll Call William Charles Hecker died at his home in this city at six o'clock, Saturday evening, Nov. 28, 1908, after an extended illness, death being attributed to stomach trouble. A little over a year ago he submitted to an operation for the trouble and received temporary benefit but it again returned and for the past month he has been on a rapid decline. He was a devoted husband and father and was appreciated as a man of worth: honesty and confidence in his fellowman were ever to the forefront of his daily life and it was these manifestations that made him a dear friend to all who knew him best. He was a firm believer in the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood man. He was a man of much patriotism and did his full share toward reclaiming this great country of ours. Deceased was born January 11, 1838, at Prussia, Germany, and came to this country in 1852, spending eight weeks time on the water in coming over. On arriving in Chicago he commenced to learn the tailoring business and remained in that city about one year. He then went to Dubuque, Iowa, and learned the bakery business. After remaining there five years he came to Nebraska and settled at Fontanelle where he engaged in farming. When the civil war broke out he enlisted as a volunteer in Co. C of the Second Iowa Infantry on Dec. 2, 1861, and served three years, being discharged Dec. 22, 1863. He re-enlisted at Palaski, Tenn. and served until July 12, 1865, at which time he was discharged at Louisville, Kentucky, on account of expiration of term of service . In the spring of 1870 he engaged in the general merchandise business at Fontanelle, and on May 4, 1871, he was united in marriage to Eliza Heller. They move to Hooper in the spring of 1874 and engaged in the restaurant business on the site where their present residence now stands, but on account of poor health in the family he retired from this business for a period of three years, after which he again engaged in the business in the building now occupied by the Sanders grocery store, but later turned the business into an exclusive grocery and confectionery store, which he conducted until October 8, 1902, when he disposed of the business. He also served the public as postmaster during the administration of President Benjamin Harrison. Deceased is survived by the ever faithful wife, one daughter, Mrs. C. C. Cushman, and two sons, August E. and William A. all of this city. Funeral services were held Monday at one o'clock from the German Lutheran church and were conducted by the pastor, Rev. E. Walter. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The Hooper Sentinel April 26, 1900 The First Settlers A Little Biography and History of Some of the Early Pioneers (Paper No. 8) William C. Hecker was born in Germany in the year 1833. In the year 1852 he accompanied his parents to the Untied States, their first stopping point being Chicago, removing from there to Dubuque, Iowa, from which place he removed to Nebraska, locating in Fontanelle, Dodge county. For a number of years he farmed during the summer and in the winter worked at his trade-that of a baker-at Omaha. He was a participant in the Indian troubles of 1859 and was with the company at West Point and Battle Creek and took part in the entire affair from start to finish and was with the contingent who had charge of the two Indians that were given up and when they feigned dead were dumped into the river and recalls the fact that one of them tried to escape by swimming but was sent to Indian heaven by a rifle in the hands of one of the settlers. In October 1861 he enlisted in the 2d Iowa infantry and was assigned to the 15th corps, army of the Tennessee, commanded by Gen John A Logan. He served through the entire war and was in several battles, notably: Fort Donaldson, where he was wounded, Shiloh, both days, Corinth, two battles, and all through the Atlanta campaign taking part in the engagements at Kenesaw, Resacca, Rome, Talden, and Jonesborough. After the fall of Atlanta he applied for and received a furlough and was not with the army on its famous march to the sea, but rejoined his regiment at Goldsborough, N. C. and was with it when Johnson surrendered to Sherman at Raleigh. On July 12th, 1865, he was honorably mustered out of the United States service at Washington and two weeks later, having been paid off, he again started for Nebraska, where he took a homestead and continued farming until 1873 when he removed to Hooper, and engaged in the grocery business. The hard times incident to the grasshopper years, 1873 to 1876, compelled him to close his store and for several years he worked as a day laborer, but in 1881 again opened his store which he still operates. He was appointed postmaster of Hooper in 1889 and served a little over 4 years. Mr. Hecker was married in 1871 to Miss Eliza Heller, who with her parents came here in 1863. They are the parents of three children all living in Hooper. They are: Mary S., wife of C C. Cushman, Aug. E., the junior member of the firm of Hecker & Son and William C., Jr. ________________________________________________________ Biography Album, Northeastern Nebraska, pub. 1893: William C. Hecker, one of the pioneers of Dodge County, has been identified with its interests since 1858, as it was in the autumn of that year that he erected a cottonwood cabin 10 x 12 feet, in which he lived for five years. He was a single man at that time. He soon made substantial improvements upon this place. In addition to carrying on his farm, he also engaged in merchandising at Fontanelle, for it was near that place where he affected his first settlement. He remained in trade near that point for two years, and then moved to Hooper. Mr. Hecker was born January 11, 1838, the son of William F. A. Hecker, both parents being natives of Prussia. Our subject came to America in 1852, landing at Quebec, Canada, from which place he went to Chicago, and there learned the tailor's trade, working at the business for about two years. The next four years he spent in Dubuque, Iowa, where he learned the baker's trade. From there he went to Nebraska. Mr. Hecker was united in marriage May 4, 1870, to Elizabeth Heller, daughter of Matthew Heller, who was the father of eight children: Caroline, August, Susan, Margaret, Elizabeth, Mary, William and Casper. Mr. and Mrs. Hecker are the parents of three children: Mary F., born April 28, 1872; August E., born February 12, 1874; William C., January 21, 1879. In 1861 Mr. Hecker answered to his country's call by enlisting in Company C Second Iowa Cavalry, and served through and re-enlisted, remaining until the end of the Civil War. In August, 1865, he returned from the service to his old home at Fontanelle. In 1871 he embarked in trade at Hooper, but owing to sickness in his family and the great grasshopper plague he was obliged to give it up. The financial cloud has cleared away and he now owns considerable property, among which is the brick post-office building, two residences, a store building and a complete line of family groceries. He is postmaster of the place, the office being attended to by his daughter, Miss Mary. Mr. Hecker, one of the van-guard of pioneers in the Elkhorn Valley, stands very high in the community in which he has lived so long. It has been his good fortune to watch the Star of Empire on its western course. He has viewed the wild plains of Nebraska when they were yet the home of the Indian; he has welcomed a generation of newcomers to the Elkhorn Valley; has worn the loyal blue to protect the flag of his country as only the brave and patriotic will. He has lived to see a great Territory come under the Sisterhood of States, which now ranks high among her sisters. Her domain is crossed and recrossed by a network of railways, over which the bounties of the soil are conveyed to other parts of the world. With all the hardships and early experiences of this pioneer, he may well count life a success, surrounded as he is today with the comforts of life and a highly esteemed citizen of one of the best portions of the Elkhorn Valley.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is William Charles Hecker's memorial?
William Charles Hecker's memorial is located at: Saint Ignatius Cemetery, Oxon Hill, Prince George's County, USA.
When did William Charles Hecker death?
William Charles Hecker death on 28 Nov 1908 in Hooper, Dodge County, Nebraska, USA
Where are the coordinates of the William Charles Hecker's memorial?
Latitude: 38.8041992
Longitude: -76.9672012

Family Members:

Parent

William F. A. Hecker

(1818 - 1881)

Spouse

Eliza Margaret Urnstina Heller Hecker

(1848 - 1926)

Children

Mary Susanna Hecker Cushman

(1872 - 1960)

August E. Hecker

(1874 - 1956)

William A. Hecker

(1879 - 1945)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Saint Ignatius Cemetery
Oxon Hill, Prince George's County, USA
Coordinate: 38.8041992, -76.9672012

2. Bnai Israel Cemetery
Oxon Hill, Prince George's County, USA
Coordinate: 38.8149986, -76.9642029

3. Dawson Family Monument
Oxon Hill, Prince George's County, USA
Coordinate: 38.8038406, -76.9517136

4. Saint Pauls Methodist Cemetery
Oxon Hill, Prince George's County, USA
Coordinate: 38.7977982, -76.9822006

5. Saint Barnabas Church Cemetery
Temple Hills, Prince George's County, USA
Coordinate: 38.8189011, -76.9602966

6. Bayne Cemetery
Oxon Hill, Prince George's County, USA
Coordinate: 38.7882996, -76.9633026

7. Oxon Hill United Methodist Church Cemetery
Oxon Hill, Prince George's County, USA
Coordinate: 38.8022003, -76.9910965

8. Hebb Family Cemetery
Temple Hills, Prince George's County, USA
Coordinate: 38.8137627, -76.9414520

9. Addison Family Cemetery
Oxon Hill, Prince George's County, USA
Coordinate: 38.7952520, -77.0008280

10. Palmer Family Cemetery
Oxon Hill, Prince George's County, USA
Coordinate: 38.7762800, -76.9607300

11. Addison Graveyard (Defunct)
Oxon Hill, Prince George's County, USA
Coordinate: 38.7977780, -77.0057900

12. Mount Hope Cemetery
Camp Springs, Prince George's County, USA
Coordinate: 38.7947006, -76.9250031

13. Sellner Family Cemetery
Friendly, Prince George's County, USA
Coordinate: 38.7659988, -76.9571381

14. Washington Asylum Potters Field
Anacostia, District of Columbia, USA
Coordinate: 38.8128240, -77.0161050

15. Washington Hebrew Congregation Cemetery
Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Coordinate: 38.8454480, -76.9858040

16. Adas Israel Cemetery
Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Coordinate: 38.8457990, -76.9844730

17. Ohev Sholom Congregation Cemetery
Congress Heights, District of Columbia, USA
Coordinate: 38.8453640, -76.9866000

18. Elesavetgrad Cemetery
Anacostia, District of Columbia, USA
Coordinate: 38.8483500, -76.9828200

19. Steed Edelen Family Cemetery
Fort Washington, Prince George's County, USA
Coordinate: 38.7605000, -76.9488300

20. Saint Elizabeths Hospital East Cemetery
Anacostia, District of Columbia, USA
Coordinate: 38.8493996, -76.9869003

21. Rosewood Cemetery (Defunct)
Anacostia, District of Columbia, USA
Coordinate: 38.8525009, -76.9783020

22. Hillsdale Cemetery (Defunct)
Douglass, District of Columbia, USA
Coordinate: 38.8520654, -76.9825828

23. Rosemont Cemetery (Defunct)
Garfield Heights, District of Columbia, USA
Coordinate: 38.8527985, -76.9788971

24. Bells Methodist Church Cemetery
Camp Springs, Prince George's County, USA
Coordinate: 38.8041992, -76.9028015