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Below is a family biography included in The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois published by Biographical Publishing Co. in 1894.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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CHRISTOPHER HACK, who is engaged in farming in Vergennes, claims Mississippi as the state of his nativity. He was born in Claiborne County, April 15, 1840, and is the son of Christopher Hack, a native of Germany, who when a small boy came with his parents to America. He had one brother, who lived in New Orleans. The mother of our subject died when her son was very young. He left home when about ten years of age and began working on a steamboat on the Mississippi River, being thus employed until the beginning of the war, when he came north to Cairo, making his home in that place and in Mound City until 1862.

Mr. Hack then enlisted in the Union navy, and was on board the “Monarch” during the greater part of his service. He was also detailed for carpenter work on the “Lancaster Ram,” “Diana” and “Queen of the West.” He participated in many naval engagements—the siege of Vicksburg, the expedition to assist Sherman, went up the Arkansas River to Arkansas Post, and landed with the troops as volunteers at Greenville. In the spring of 1864 he was discharged, but continued to remain in Vicksburg until the following July, when he returned to Jackson County.

Mr. Hack first located in De Soto, and then came to Vergennes. He was married in Vicksburg, in 1860, to Miss Mary Westfall, who died in the following year. On the 31st of May, 1864, in Vicksburg, he wedded Miss Nancy Westfall, a sister of his first wife, and a daughter of David and Elizabeth (Lyons) Westfall. Her parents were both born and reared in Ohio, removing thence to Mississippi. Her father enlisted in the Union army and died in the service. They had the following children: Leander, Adam, Melvina, Mary M., Frances and Nancy. All are deceased except Frances.

To Mr. and Mrs. Hack were born five children. William and Minerva, twins, born May 30, 1866, died in infancy; Alice, born July 15, 1869, is the wife of William Mann; Henry C., born November 6, 1871, is the next younger; and Mary A., born September 13, 1874, is now deceased. The mother of this family passed away January 31, 1876, and on the 12th of December following Mr. Hack married Mahala Law. They have one child, Milton A., born September 22, 1885. Mrs. Hack died May 21, 1889, and on the 10th of April, 1890, our subject wedded Dollie Graer, widow of Benjamin Graer. They have two children: Fannie, born January 18, 1891; and Charles B., July 22, 1893.

Mr. Hack has followed farming throughout the greater part of his life, and for seven years has carried on general merchandising in Vergennes. He now owns two hundred and eighty acres of valuable land, besides considerable property in the village, and by well-directed efforts, enterprise and industry has acquired a handsome competence. He is a member of the United Brethren Church, in which he serves as Trustee, and is also a member of the building committee, which is now engaged in the erection of a new house of worship. In politics he is a Democrat, and has held the office of Highway Commissioner and Township Treasurer. He has taken an active part in politics, but has never been a narrow partisan. Socially, he is connected with the Masonic fraternity and the Odd Fellows’ society, and is now Trustee of the latter lodge. He possesses excellent business and executive ability, and the prosperity which has crowned his efforts is but the just reward of his labors.

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This family biography is one of 679 biographies included in The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois published in 1894.  View the complete description here: The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois

View additional Jackson County, Illinois family biographies here: Jackson County, Illinois Biographies

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