Biography - LOUIS R. HOECKER

Louis R. Hoecker, who through earnest application has won an honored name in Macoupin county, was born October 22, 1878, in Shaws Point township, where he now lives. He is a son of Peter and Mary (Laubenthal) Hoecker, the former of whom was born in Germany and the latter in Illinois. The father came to America with his parents when six years of age, the family settling for a number of years in St. Clair county, Illinois. There he attended school and assisted his father in farm work until thirty years old. The farm was then disposed of and the family came to Macoupin county. The father purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Shaws Point township and later acquired more land, becoming the owner of three hundred acres. He continued upon this place until 1906, when he retired from active labor and purchased the Joseph Bird property at Carlinville, on which he took up his residence. He died in January, 1908, his wife having been called away five years previous, in August, 1903. He was a man of many admirable characteristics and through his persistency and well directed effort acquired a fortune, advancing from a humble position to one of prominence and affluence.

Mr. Hoecker of this sketch was reared in Macoupin county, and secured his education in the district schools and public schools of Carlinville. He assisted his father upon the home farm until twenty-two years of age and then went to Jacksonville, Illinois, and worked in the car shops of the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis Railroad. Returning home, he continued there until after his marriage, when he rented one hundred and sixty acres in Honey Point township, which he cultivated to good advantage for two years. Having acquired the capital necessary for beginning business upon his own account, he purchased seventy-six and one-half acres in Shaws Point township, upon which he has since lived. This land he bought from his father-in-law, and it was formerly known as the Penn Farm. Subsequently he purchased twenty acres of his father’s estate, and in July, 1911, acquired twenty acres more so that at the present time he is the owner of one hundred and sixteen acres in one body. He also owns an eighth interest in his father’s estate which has not yet been settled. In addition to raising cereals, Mr. Hoecker maintains a herd of two hundred and sixty head of sheep and raises from fifty to one hundred head of hogs per year, also keeping seventeen head of horses and mules. He is highly energetic and capable in everything he undertakes, and is recognized as one of the substantial men of the community.

In October, 1905, Mr. Hoecker was married to Miss Viola Dugger, a daughter of Samuel B. and Grace (Chappell) Dugger, both of whom were born in Macoupin county. The father has been identified with agricultural interests ever since his boyhood. He purchased his father’s farm in Shaws Point township and cultivated it uninterruptedly until 1908, when he retired and moved to Carlinville. He is now fifty-five years of age, his wife being five years his junior. Mr. and Mrs. Hoecker are the parents of two children: Lyndal, who was born August 17, 1906; and Donald E., born November 14, 1909.

Politically Mr. Hoecker is a stanch advocate of the republican party. He has taken the interest of a patriotic citizen in public affairs and is now serving as township commissioner, this being his second term in that office. He is also a member of the school board and, religiously, he and his wife affiliate with the Methodist church. He has devoted his attention to his business with excellent results, and has gained success through unswerving industry, determination and reliability. He has always exercised a beneficent influence on those by whom he is surrounded and, therefore, truly belongs among the upbuilders of the state and county.

Extracted 18 May 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 30-31.