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Below is a family biography included in the Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania published in 1905 by The Genealogical Publishing Company.  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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HENRY LEWIS HECKER (deceased) was a lifelong resident of Carlisle, where as a successful business man and honored public servant he was long prominent. He was born Feb. 16, 1831, on South Hanover street, in the south end of the town, and was a son of Andrew and Charlotte (Wahl) Hecker, natives of Germany, who came to the United States when young, and were married in this country. Mr. Hecker learned the trade of locksmith in the Fatherland, and followed it there and in the United States. He and his wife had a large family of twelve or fourteen children.

Henry L. Hecker attended the Carlisle schools in his youth, but his educational opportunities were none too plentiful, for he began life a poor boy. He early learned the trade of shoemaker, which he followed when a young man, and in 1861 he enlisted for service in the Union army, becoming a private in Company A, 7th Pa. Inf., Volunteer Reserves, which went out under Capt. Robert M. Henderson, who had raised the company and was commissioned captain April 21st. He was with his command up to the night of the fourth day of the Seven Days fight before Richmond, when he lost his right arm and was taken prisoner. After three months’ confinement in Libby prison, he was exchanged and returned home to recuperate, having experienced hardships and suffering which would have meant death to many a man. He was given no water to bathe his wounded arm, and was so weak that he had to crawl on his stomach to a small stream. During his active service he served through the Peninsular Campaign, was in the battle of Mechanicsville, Gaines Mills, Charles City Cross Roads and Malvern Hill, after which the regiment was at Harrison’s Landing for a time. After the Reserves joined the army of Northern Virginia, under Gen. Pope, they took part in the Second battle of Bull Run. In 1865, Mr. Hecker was made captain, and put in charge of 300 men who were guarding the railroad at Alexandria, Va., and he remained in the service for another year, when his command was called in. After his return home he engaged in the bakery and confectionery business on the site of his widow’s present home, in South Hanover street, and continued the same successfully until his death, which occurred in 1882.

Capt. Hecker took a prominent part in the public affairs of his city, and served as mayor of Carlisle after the war. In 1864 he was doorkeeper to the National House of Representatives in Washington. His political sympathies were with the Democratic party.

Capt. Hecker was married in Carlisle, to Miss Julia Sites, of that place, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Thompson) Sites, the former a native of Frankford township, Cumberland county, and a member of an old family, the latter a native of Baltimore, Md. Three children were born to Capt. and Mrs. Hecker, Mary A., Fanny G., and Florence Bertram. Mrs. Hecker and her children are members of St. Patrick’s Church, of Carlisle, but Mr. Hecker was a Presbyterian. Socially, he united with the I. O. O. F. and the G. A. R. post at Carlisle. He was a man esteemed in every walk of life, in the domestic circle and among his friends as well as in business and public life, and was ever ranked among the most substantial and reliable citizens of Carlisle where he is well remembered even to this date.

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This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in the Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania published in 1905 by The Genealogical Publishing Company. 

View additional Cumberland County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Cumberland County, Pennsylvania Biographies

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