BIO: HENRY L. HECKER, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
   
  Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Joe Patterson
  OCRed by Judy Banja

  Copyright 2004.  All rights reserved.
  http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm
  http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/pa/cumberland/
  _____________________________________________________________

  >From Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania,
  Chicago: The Genealogical Publishing Co., 1905, pages 207-208
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  NOTE: Use this web address to access other bios:
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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
  
  208  CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
  
  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.