When we look at a list of charter members of Zion Lutheran Church in Longtown, which was established in 1897, we will see 3 different men with the name, Hacker. One of them was Christ (Christopher) Hacker. He will be a main character in today’s post.
Christopher Hacker was born on February 10, 1862, the son of Andreas and Brigitta (Friedmann) Hacker. Photos of his parents are shown below.
Christopher’s baptism record would be found in the books of Peace Lutheran Church in Friedenberg, but those records burned up in a fire. It is also somewhat likely that Christopher may have been baptized in his home near Longtown. Christopher is found in the 1870 census at the age of 9. His father was a farmer in the Cinque Hommes Township.
A new township named the Union Township was established in the 1870’s, and that is where we find the Hacker’s in the 1880 census. In fact, this census page says that this family lived in Longtown. At the age of 18, Christopher was farming with his father.
Christopher would get married in the 1880’s, so we will now take a look at the woman who would become his bride. Adelie Marie Schmidt, who was born on August 30, 1868. Adelie was the daughter of Peter and Anna (Berger) Schmidt. Adelie’s baptism record is likely found in the books of York Chapel, which is a Methodist church just outside Longtown. Both of her parents are buried in the York Chapel Cemetery. Adelie is found in the 1870 census at the age of 2. Her father was a shoemaker in the Cinque Hommes Township. The census taker spelled their name, Smith.
In the 1880 census, Adelie was 12 years old, and, like the Hacker’s, the Schmidt’s were living in the newly-formed Union Township. This time, Adelie’s father was called a farmer. Both of her parents were from Switzerland originally.
Christopher Hacker married Adelie Schmidt on October 25, 1886. That means today would be the 140th wedding anniversary for this couple. Christopher and Adelie were married by the pastor at Peace Lutheran Church in Friedenberg. We can only view these 2 civil marriage records for them.
Christopher and Adelie had 4 children, 3 boys and a girl. The first 3 must have baptism records in the Peace, Friedenberg books, but their last son, Martin, was one of the first baptisms at the new Zion Lutheran Church in Longtown.
By the time of the 1900 census, all 4 of the Hacker children had been born. Christopher was a merchant of dry goods in Longtown.
Next, we find the Hacker’s in the 1910 census. This time, Christopher is called a farmer. I believe that he was involved in farming and running a store during his life. The sons were farm laborers in this entry, and their only daughter was working at the store.
In the 1915 plat maps for Perry County, we find the Christ. Hacker land located just north of Longtown. Also close by you can see a church. That is York Chapel.
In the 1920 census, only their youngest son, Martin, was still living with his parents. Christopher is back to being called a merchant at a general store in this entry.
The Hacker’s are found in the 1930 census with an empty nest. It says Christopher was in a partnership in running a general store.
The last census in which we find Christopher and Adelie was the one taken in 1940. They were each in their 70’s, and neither one was given an occupation. A grandson named Cletus was living with them.
Adelie Hacker died in 1943 at the age of 74. Her death certificate says that she died a the St. Francis Hospital in Cape Girardeau.
An obituary for Adelie was published in the Perry County Republican.
Christopher Hacker died a year later in 1944 at the age of 82. He died at the Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau according to his death certificate.
We can also read Christopher’s obituary from the Perry County Republican.
Christopher and Adelie Hacker are buried together in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Longtown.
Nowadays a hacker is mostly considered a cyber criminal. Not so with the Longtown Hacker’s. They were church bulders and storeowners, and likely respected members of the Longtown community.