Valentine Eckert (1817-1882)

Valentine Eckert was born in Pennsylvania, USA in about 1817.  His mother was most likely Louisa V. Eckert, and his father unknown.  Valentine was married to Marry Ann Lloyd on 09 Nov 1845, in Newark, Essex, New Jersey, USA.  He and his new wife moved into Philadelphia, but quickly moved back to Newark, New Jersey.  Valentine was in the jewelery business, making an selling jewelery.  Early on, he had his own business, "Eckert and Meeker", however that went under and Valentine worked in the same industry for others.

On 19 Jun 1862, Valentine Eckert enrolled, and mustered into the Union Army, 9th Regiment Infantry, Company B, at Camp Olden, Trenton, NJ.  This group was also known as the "Jersey Muskrats".  The regiment got its nickname, Jersey Muskrats, during the Battle of Roanoke Island when they successfully "sloshed through shoe sucking mud into waist deep water in 'division' formation", giving the regiment a two company front against the enemy. From 12 Dec 1862 - 17 Dec 1862, Valentine was involved in five separate battles in North Carolina.

On 20 Jan 1863, the 9th moved southward into South Carolina with General Foster's command.  They made it as far as St. Helena's Island on 09 Feb 1863, where they remained in drill for two months.  Admiral Samuel Francis Du Pont had the task of trying to take back Charleston in Apr 1863.  He strongly believed Charleston could not be taken with out significant land presence, but pushed forward with his ironclad fleet anyways.  Valentine's infantry was in route to help with the land presence, but with the channels to the harbor being so obstructed, Du Pont's ships were caught in a major crossfire, and called for a retreat.  The 9th headed back for North Carolina.  In Aug 1863, the 9th was sent to Carolina City due to chills and fevers.  They were here for about six weeks, while nearly 300 men were unfit for battle.  At this point, Major-General Peck assumed command of the infantry from General Heckman.

With 2/3 of the men re-enlisting (Valentine signed up later than most, so he was already in for another year), the 9th became "9th New Jersey Veteran Volunteers" in January 1864.  They moved onto Newport News, VA where Brigadier General Charles A. Heckman regained command, and was stationed with garrison duty.  On the morning of June 16 the brigade moved out from its breastworks, charged and entered the Confederate fortifications, which it held during the day, the 9th participating in several skirmishes, and on retiring burned all the buildings which had been used by General Beauregard as headquarters and for other purposes.  On 21 Jun 1864, the 9th crossed the Appomattox and took posession of the rifle-pits beyond the City Point and Petersburg Railroad, where on the day following it assisted in repelling a charge of the enemy.  During these battles, they were continually on the front line, with small spells to the second line.  This was part of the famous battle of Drewry's Bluff.

It is believed in these battles Valentine may have been injured, or finally realized he could not keep up with his much younger comrades.  On 24 Jun 1864, Valentine was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps. This was typically done when age or injury held them from keeping up with the war. They would typically be put on guard duty, or something similar.  Valentine mustered out exactly three years to his muster in date, 19 Jun 1865.

Valentine was met with a lot of sad news upon his return home.  During his service, he had lost three children, Lilly, Frank and Alice.  He had never met his daughter Alice, as she was born just after he left for war, and died before he returned.  His wife, Mary Ann Lloyd passed away the following year, in 1866.  Valentine was an active member of Newark's Lincoln Post of the Grand Army of the Republic.

 Valentine continued in jewelery business upon his return.  Valentine lived with his son, Charles until his death.  At some point he became involved in politics enough, where his obituary read "Valentine Eckert, a prominent Democratic politician, died suddenly in Newark last evening."  His death was on 27 Jul 1882 in Newark, Essex, New Jersey, USA.  He is buried in Fairmount Cemetery, in Newark.

Children of Valentine Eckert and Mary Ann Lloyd:

• Lilly Eckert (d. 1865)
• Edward Valentine Eckert (1848-1933)
• Charles L. Eckert (1850-?)
• Frank Eckert (1854-1864)
• Washington T. Eckert (1857-1860)
• Nellie Eckert (1860-1918)
• Alice Eckert (1862-1863)
• Laura B Eckert (1866-1867)

Edward Valentine Eckert (1848 - 1933)

Edward was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA in April of 1848, a child to Valentine Eckert, a civil war vet, and Mary Ann Lloyd.  After Edward's birth, the family quickly moved to Newark, NJ.

Edward grew up in the jewelery business, as his father and brother, Charles were in the business.  Edward bounced around Newark and Irvington, NJ in the late 19th century.  He lived with his father, and brother before marrying Harriet Elizabeth Adams, in 1874.

Edward V. Eckert and Harriet E. Adams

Harriet is believed to have John Quincy Adams, President of the USA, in her family tree.  Edward and Harriet had four children:

• Raymond Eckert (1876-1898)
• Walter Lewis Eckert (1879-1951)
• Howard Haines Eckert (1883-1964)
• May Anna Eckert (1887-1983)

Edward died in October of 1933.  

Leonard Arthur Hacking (1875-1943)

Leonard Arthur Hacking was born on 20 Jan 1875, in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire, England.  Around the time of his birth, Blackburn was known as the "weaving capital of the world" due to its many cotton mills in existence.  Leonard's parents were John Hacking, a bookeeper in the washing machine business and traveling salesmen for home furniture, and Miriam Blacklidge.

Leonard grew up with this family in the Municipal ward of Saint Peter, and Ecclesiastical district of Saint Luke; Blackburn, Lancashire, England.

St. Luke's Church, Blackburn, Lancashire

On 09 Feb 1893, Leonard arrived on the ship Catalonia in Boston, Massachusetts.  His occupation listed on the passenger list, is that of a cabinet maker.  He quickly arrived in Philadelphia, as he posted an advertisement in the Philadelphia Inquirer in 1895 looking for work:

We know Leonard moved back to Blackburn, Lancashire, England between 1895 and 1898, however we are not quite sure why.  Did he leave to marry someone specifically and bring back to America?  Did he leave America because he could not afford to live on his own there?  

On 10 Nov 1898, Leonard married Elizabeth Alica Slater, daughter of George Slater.  In 1900, Leonard left Liverpool once again for America.  He, his wife, and their first born child John Slater Hacking, arrived in Ellis Island on 18 Aug 1900, aboard the ship "Lucania".

In 1905, Leonard, his wife and three children are living at 712 North Uber St, Philadelphia, PA.  He posted an advertisement looking to hire a carpenter, with minimum three years experience.  

  Unfortunately, Leonard fell on tough times.  On 08 Jul 1913, Leonard was arrested for robbery of a house dwelling.  He was pointed out as the suspect, and had the local police man on a foot chase for some time.  Leonard was captured, when he tripped and fell.  He was caught with $200 in jewels.  He told the officer he stole to aid his family of five children.

(Click to Enlarge)

Leonard tried the art of metalworking, but went back to carpentry work on his own account.  His son John Slater worked with his father.  He continued his own carpentry business, named The Ideal Co., until his death in March of 1943, at the age of 68.

(Leonard Arthur Hacking's World War I Draft Reg. Card)

Leonard Arthur Hacking and Elizabeth Alice Slater had the following children:

• John Slater Hacking (29 Oct 1898)
• Lillian Hacking (01 Oct 1901)
• Ida Louise Hacking (abt 1905)
• Leonard Arthur Hacking (29 Aug 1908)
• George E. Hacking (04 Oct 1910)
• Harvey Hacking (10 Nov 1914)