The History
of
Lazarus L. Hockenberger
by
Robert Earl Hackenberg
My great, great, great grandfather Lazarus L. Hockenberger was the first child of Michael and Mary Elizabeth (Smith) Hachenberg.1 Grandfather was born in Northumberland County (now Snyder County), Pennsylvania, 15 February 1800.2 His wife to be, Susanna Wallenberg, was also born in Pennsylvania, in 1801.3a She came to Ohio with her parents while very young.3b Here, she and Lazarus met and married each other in Wayne County, Ohio.4 This marriage was around 1825 or 1826, because his father, Michael, did not move to Ohio, until around 1825.5 That would make Lazarus twenty-five or twenty-six years old, and Susanna was twenty or twenty-one.6 Here in Wayne County, Ohio, Lazarus and Susanna were very active in the affairs of the Mennonite Church.7
According to his great grandson Earl Hackenberg, Lazarus built a log cabin on the 160 acre farm in 1802.8 It was in this cabin, that Uncle Earl was born 94 years later.9 The date of his birth was 5 February 1896.10 Unfortunately, the 1802 date that he gives is in error for the following reasons: Lazarus was born 15 February 1800, he would have only been two at the time.11 In 1802, Lazarus still lived in Pennsylvania. He and his parents did not move to Ohio until around 1825, according to the Heber G. Gearhart Collection located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Finally, the 160 acre farm was not bought from the American Government until 24 August 1827.12a This log cabin was more than likely built in 1832, to make room for the future children of Lazarus and Susanna.
The Lord then gave Lazarus and Susanna nine children. Three of them died at birth. All of them were born in Chippewa Township, Wayne County, Ohio. The following are the children that lived according to birth: John Daniel Hackenberg, he was born in 1835 in Chippewa Township, Wayne County, Ohio. Michael Hackenberg, he was born 6 January 1837, in Chippewa Township, Wayne County, Ohio, and married Mary Snyder in 1862. My records say Michael and Mary moved to Jewell County, Kansas. 12b Sarah Hackenberg, she was born around 1837, in Chippewa Township, Wayne County. It was on 1 February 1855, that she married Jacob C. Rasor. The wedding was performed by D. Rothacker, minister. Frances Lovina Hackenberg, she was born somewhere around 1839, in Chippewa Township, Wayne County, Ohio. On 19 March 1865, in Wayne County, Ohio, she married William Snyder. Harriet Hackenberg, she was born around 1840 in Chippewa Township, Wayne County, Ohio. It was on 15 March 1860, in Chippewa Township, Wayne County, Ohio, she married Sevid (Levi ) Snyder. Finally, Adam Hackenberg, he was born 14 August 1844 in Chippewa Township, Wayne County, Ohio.13 All of the children were born on their father’s farm.14
On 24 August 1827, Lazarus’ father, Michael, purchased 160 acres of land from the United States of America. This land was located in Chippewa Township, Wayne County, Ohio.15a On December 20, 1837, a little over ten years later Lazarus purchased fifty acres of this land. The following is a copy of this purchase: This indenture made this twentieth day of December in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty-Seven by and between Michael Hackenberg and Mary Hackenberg his wife of the County of Wayne in the state of Ohio of the first part and Lazarus Hackenberg of the County of and state aforesaid of the same part witnesseth that the said Michael Hackenberg and Mary Hackenberg his wife for and in consideration of the just sum of four hundred dollars to them in land paid the receipt whereof -they do hereby acknowledge have given granted bargained sold released and conveyed and do by these presents give grant bargain sell release convey & confirm unto the said Lazarus Hackenburg and heirs and assignees forever all that tract or panel of land situated and being in the County of Wayne and state of Ohio towit: A part of the south west quarter of section one (1) in township eighteen of range N eleven (11) commencing at the south west corner of said quarter Thence east along said quarter line fifty rods Thence north parallel with said quarter line one hundred and sixty rods Thence west fifty rods to the corner of said quarter Thence south along the line of the said quarter one hundred and sixty rods to the peace of beginning containing fifty acres said land was patented to the said Michael Hackenberg by John Q. Adams, President of the United States on the twenty-fourth day of August 1827 and recorded in book 1E page 181 & 182 of the records of Wayne County. To have and to hold the said premises hereby sold or meant or intended so with all the privileges and appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining unto the said Lazarus Hackenburg and unto his heirs and assigns forever and the said Michael Hackenburg & Mary Hackenburg his wife for themselves & for their heirs execution & administration covenant promise and agree to and with the said Lazarus Hackenburg his heirs & assigns that they the said Michael Hackenburg and Mary Hackenburg his wife are lawfully seized of the premises aforesaid that they have good right & lawful authority to sell and convey (sound in manner) aforesaid and that the premises are free. And clear of and from all incumberances whatever. And further that they the said Michael Hackenberg & Mary Hackenberg his wife ever will I truly warrant and forever defined this premises herein and hereby granted unto the said Lazarus Hackenberg and to his heirs and assigns against the lawful claims & demands of all & every person whomsever. In testimony whereof the said Michael Hackenberg and Mary Hackenberg his wife party of the first part have hererunto set their hands & seals this day & year last above written.
Michael Hackenberg – Seal
Mary Hackenberg-Seal
X
Her Mark
Signed Sealed & Delivered in presence of
John Brown
Phillip Kennmever15b
The following is a statement from the County Recorder and the Justice of the Peace concerning this purchase: On the twentieth day of December A. D. 1837 before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace within & forsaid County personally appeared the said Michael Hackenberg and Mary Hackenberg his wife who signed and sealed the foregoing deed and acknowledged the signing & sealing thereof to be their act & deed further purposes therein (exprcped expressed) and the said Mary Hackenberg wife of the said Michael Hackenberg being by me examined separate and apart from her said husband and the contents of said deed being fully made known taken by reading the same in her presence She did declare on such separate examination that she did voluntarily sign seal and acknowledge the same and that she is still satisfied therewith. Given under my hand and seal the day and year last aforesaid.
John Brown – Justice of the Peace
Transferred December 21st 1837– A. H. Smith for ThacAll, Jr.
Received for record December 21st 1837 & recorded same day.
J. Thomson, Recorder 15c
When Michael died, Lazarus purchased each of his brothers, sisters and two nieces interest in the farm, that their father had purchased from the United States of America.16 He accomplished this by 1866.17 Between 1866 and the time of his death, October 7, 1886.18 Lazarus must have sold 35 acres of this land. His will states that he left the farm to his wife, Susanna Hockenberger,
that they now reside on. At this time the farm was about 125 acres. The following is a copy of Lazarus’ will:
In the name of the Benevolent Father of All, I Lazarus Hockenberger of the Township of Chippewa, County of Wayne and state of Ohio do make and publish this my Last Will and Testament;
1st I give and demise to my beloved wife Susanna Hockenberger in lieu of her dower the farm on which we now reside. Situate in the Township of Chippewa in the County of Wayne in State of Ohio. Containing about one hundred and twenty-five acres, during her natural life; and all the stock, household goods, furniture, provisions and other goods and chattles (furniture); which may be therein. At the time of my decease during her natural life as aforesaid; She however selling so much thereof as may be sufficient to pay my just debts if there should be any: at the death of my wife the Real Estate and other property aforesaid shall be sold and disposed of as hereafter provided.
Item 2nd I give and demise to my son Adam Hockenberger two hundred dollars to be taken from the first money realised out of my estate after the decease of my wife. But if the said Adam Hockenberger shall leave and move off the said farm on which we, and the said Adam Hockenberger now reside. At any time before my decease or my wife”s decease , and if the said Adam Hockenberger shall bestow or take no extra care of either myself or my wife Susanna Hockenberger then and in that case the two hundred dollars, to be equally divided between my legal heirs.
Item 3rd I give and devise the residue of my property both personal and Real after the decease of my wife to be equally divided between my legal heirs as follows: John Daniel Hockenberger, Michael Hockenberger, Adam Hockenberger, Sarah Hockenberger, now intermarried to Jacob Rasor. Harriet Hockenberger, now intermarried to Sevid Snyder, Francis Lovina Hockenberger, now intermarried to William Snyder.
Item 4th I do hereby nominate and appoint John C. Baughman, Executor of this my Last Will
and Testament hereby authorising and empowering him to compromise adjust release and discharge in such manner as he may deem proper. The debts and claims due me and do all further acts legally necessary to settle up my estate after the decease of my wife. I desire that no appraisement of my Personal and Real Estate be made and that the Court of Probate direct the
commission of the same in pursuance of the statue. I do hereby revoke all former wills made by me.
In Testimony hereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 13th day of July A. D. 1874
Lazarus L. Hockenberger – Seal
His Mark (X)
Signed and acknowledged
by said Lazarus Hockenberger as his Last Will and Testament in our presence and signed
by us in his presence.
John C. Rasor, J. B. Weaver
Probate Court Records of Wayne County, Ohio
In the matter of the will of Lazarus Hockenberger deceased. TO THE JUDGE OF SAID
COURT;
And now comes, John C. Boughman and produces for admission to Probate in said Court the Last Will and Testament of Lazarus Hackenberger late a resident of the Township of Chippewain said County, who died on the 7th day of October A. D. 1886.
Said testator died leaving Susanna Hackenberger his widow and the following named persons, all of his next of kin resident of the State of Ohio.
Name Degree of Kinship P. O. Address
John D. Hockenberger Son Iowa
Michael Hackenberg Son Iowa
Adam Hackenberg Son Doylestown, Ohio
Sarah Rasor Daughter Michigan
Harriet Snyder Daughter Michigan
Francis L. Snyder Daughter Copley, Summit County, Ohio
Dated the 29th day of October A. D. 1886.
This information was taken from the History of Wayne County, Ohio, Vol. II, 1910, page 1453
(977.11,-w36, Kansas Historical Library, Topeka, Kansas
Lazarus and his wife Susan are buried in Grill Cemetery. The address is 6385 S. Cleveland-Massillon Road. It is located in Franklin Township, Summit County, Ohio
My line continues through Lazarus’ son Adam Hackenberg.
References
1. Page 482 of JPHAD-children given in order.
2. Page 483 of JPHAD and a record of his daughter-in-law Adeline concerning his death, B&D4
and my calculator in the Family Tree Maker Software.
3a. Page 483 of JPHAD 1st Paragraph, and the 1880 Ohio Census-Susannaha was 79 and living
with her son Adam.
3b. Wayne County Illustrated, Volume 2, Ohio R977.166, History of Wayne County, Volume 2,
Page 1453-54
4. Marriage Records of Wayne County, More Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah,
Film # 0897628.
5. Heber G. Gearhart Collection located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. It is now located in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
6. Subtract Lazarus’ birthdate, 15 February 1800 and Susannah’s around 1805 from 1825 or
1826.
7. Page 483 of JPHAD and the History of Wayne County Ohio, Volume 2, Page 1453
8. Taken from “Enchanted Acres”. This is a story written by Earl Hackenberg and sent to the
Barberton Herald.
9. This is a comment given by Uncle Earl in the “Enchanted Acres”.
10. Records of my Family Tree Maker Software.
11. 1802-1800 = 2
12a. A deed from the U. S. Government dated 24 August 1827.
12b. Jewell County, Kansas Records.
13. The History of Wayne County, Ohio, Volume 2, 1910, Page 1453.
14. The History of Wayne County, Ohio, Volume 2, 1910, Page 1453
15a. A deed from the U. S. Government.
15b. An 1837 deed from Michael and Mary Hackenberg to Lazarus.
15c. Land Records, Wooster Courthouse, Wooster, Ohio.
16. Page 481, Paragraph 5 of JPHAD and Land Records of Wayne County Courthouse, Volume 33,
Pages 416-17.
17. Page 481, Paragraph 5 of JPHAD, Volume 71 Page 599.
18. Records of Adeline Hackenberg, his daughter-in-law.
Links for the rest of the Hackenberg's are below.