Heroes of Freedom-Hecker, Illinois

Civil War Soldiers

Heroes of Freedom-Hecker, Illinois

Twenty Four Sons Served the Union. These 16 men showed Freedom (now Hecker, Illinois) as their residence at enlistment.

by Dennis A. Hermann

(Background)

Settlers came to the Hecker area as early as 1815. The first known settler was German Henry Null, who settled southeast of the current village limits. Prior to the village incorporating in 1895, the postmaster was asked to change the name of the village, as there was already another town in Illinois named Freedom. The people of Freedom had taken a liking to a local Civil War hero from nearby Summerfield, Illinois. Friedrich Hecker, a German patriot, came to the United States and enlisted in the Civil War at the age of 50. He brought leadership which allowed him to quickly move up the chain of command and become a colonel. He was involved in forming the Illinois Republican Party. After the war, he spent a night in Hecker at one of the hotels. When visiting the citizens of Freedom, he made a lasting impression on the people through his personality, intelligence, and ideas. When it became time for the people to select a new name, “Hecker” was the obvious choice. Colonel Friedrich Hecker died in 1881 and is buried in Summerfield, Illinois.

43rd Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry

Co. F, Pvt Adam Braun, age 53, Muster in Dec. 1861, Discharged Feb. 6, 1862 at Benton Barracks St. Louis.

Co. H, Pvt Sevein Fuerstenberg, age 27, Muster in Dec. 1861. Muster out Dec. 1864

Co. F. Pvt Henry Henze, age 47, Muster in Dec. 1861 Died of DISEASE Apr, 29, 1862 at St. Louis. Buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cem.

Plot 350 3583

Co. F, Pvt Adam Kessler, age 23, Muster in Dec. 1861, DIED Feb 1862 from accident on a transport

Co. F, Pvt Frank Klos, age 33, Muster in Dec. 1861. Muster out Dec. 1864

Co. F, Pvt Joseph Moncke, age 41, Muster in Dec. 1861. Discharged Nov 6, 1862 at Bolivar , Tenn. Buried at St. Augustine Cemetery

Hecker, IL. Date of death Apr. 25, 1881 (1)

Heroes of Freedom-Hecker, Illinois

Co. C, Pvt William F. Schmidt, age 18, Muster in Sep. 1864. Muster out Nov. 1865

Co. C, Pvt David Stahlheber , age 18, Muster in Sep. 1864 Muster out Nov. 1865

Co. C. Sgt John Stahlheber, age 20, Muster in Dec. 1861. Reenlisted as Veteran Dec. 28, 1863. Muster out Nov. 30, 1865.

Co. F, Pvt Wagoner George Thompson, age 40, Muster in Dec. 1861 Reenlisted as a Veteran Mar. 15, 1864. Muster out Nov, 1865.

Co. F, Pvt Jacob Voegeli, age 18, Muster in Dec. 1861. Reenlisted as a Veteran Mar. 15, 1864. Muster out Nov. 1865.

Co. F, Cpl Adam Wiednern, age 38, Muster in Dec. 1863. Reenlisted Dec. 28, 1863. Muster out Nov. 1865.

Co. F, Cpl Andreas Wehr, age 34, Muster in Dec. 1861. Muster out Sep. 1864

117th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry

Co. H, Pvt Jacob Horschman, age 18, Muster in Sep. 1862. Muster out Aug.1865 Died Oct. 26, 1914. Buried Springfield, Missouri,

National Cemetery Plot: 14, 0, 1568C

Co. H, Pvt George Kendall, age 20, Muster in Sep. 1862. Muster out Aug. 1865

155th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry (One year enlistment)

Co. A, 2lt Christopher Snyder, age 43, Muster in Feb. 1865. Muster out Sep. 1865

142th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry

Co. H, Cpl Jeremiah Woods, age 18, 100 day enlistment, Muster in Jun. 1864. Muster out Oct. 1864

149th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry (One year enlistment)

All 149th soldiers Muster in Feb. 10, 1865 and Muster out Jan. 27, 1866

Co. H. Peter Berthold, age 33.

Pvt Co. K. Jacob Gross, age 19.

Pvt Co. H. Pv Benjamin Jaimet, age 23.

Pvt Co. H. Peter Keller, age 39.

Co. A, Pv Waigand Politsch, age 32. Jacob Weber, age 23.

155th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry (One year enlistment)

William Quick, age 25, Muster in Feb. 1865. Muster out Sep. 1865.

“Civil War Soldiers” “Heroes of Freedom-Hecker, Illinois

Dennis A. Hermann Presentation to Village of Hecker, IL Memorial Day May 30, 2016