My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in the book,  Portrait and biographical record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, Pennsylvania published in 1894 by Chapman 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.

* * * *

REV. THOMAS J. HACKER, pastor of the Zion Reformed Church of Allentown, was born in Lancaster County, Pa., September 24, 1854, and is a son of Levi and Harriet (Yeager) Hacker. He was educated in the public schools of his native country, and in the Franklin and Marshall College, where he pursued his studies for some time. Wishing to take up the work of the ministry, in 1876 he entered the Theological Seminary of the Reformed Church in Lancaster, where he pursued a full course of study, and on the 10th of May, 1879, was graduated from that institution. He had previously engaged in teaching school, in order that he might acquire the necessary means with which to acquire a theological education. When he had completed his collegiate course he was ordained for the ministry of the Reformed Church, on the, 17th of July, 1879, and received and accepted a call from St. John’s Reformed Church of Shamokin, Pa. He at once entered upon the duties of the pastorate, and continued there for eleven years and four months. He won not only the love of his own people, but the esteem and confidence of those of other denominations, and the church was materially increased and strengthened during his ministry, the membership growing from one hundred and seventy-six to seven hundred and twenty. While there he organized the Northumberland County Sunday-school Association, and for three years served as its President, doing effective work in that capacity.

On the 28th of October, 1890, Mr. Hacker came to Allentown, as pastor of the Zion Reformed Church of this city, which was organized as early as 1762. The church has a membership of seven hundred and fifty, and under his leadership it is increasing. It is in good working condition, the services are well attended, and pastor and people are in harmony with one another, so that great good can be accomplished. The present structure is a fine stone edifice, and is neatly and tastefully furnished with all that pertains to such a building. In the year 1875 Mr. Hacker was united in marriage with Miss Susan E. Meckley, daughter of William Meckley, of Lancaster County, Pa. Their union has been blessed with, one son, Oswald W., who is still at home with his parents. Mrs. Hacker has proved a faithful companion and helpmate to her husband in various lines of church work, and wherever she goes she wins many warm friends on account of her excellences of character. Mr. Hacker is a good speaker, studies deeply, and the high regard in which he is held by the members of his congregation is shown by his long continuance with the different churches with which he has been connected. He has on several occasions represented the church on the floor of the General Synod, and is filling his second term as a member of the Board of Home Missions of the Reformed Church.

* * * *

This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in the book, Portrait and biographical record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, Pennsylvania published in 1894 by Chapman Publishing Company. 

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

View a historic 1911 map of Lehigh County, Pennsylvania

View family biographies for other states and counties

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.