MICHAEL HACKER FAMILY

The origin of the Hacker farm dates back nearly 100 years to the turn of the last century. On October 17, 1902, Michael Hacker was born in the small Bavarian town of Bayreuth Germany.

As one of the younger children in a family of 14, Michael had few educational opportunities. Considering the threats of World War I, one of his sisters, Elsie, who settled in Joliet with her husband, Carl Hahn, took the responsibility to sponsor Michael’s immigration to the United States.

In 1919, at the young age of 17, Michael arrived in the Naperville area to work on the Clarence Wolf farm located on Route 59.

When he became more established, he began farming on his own near the Wolf Farm on West Liberty Street. He married Caroline Griesmann of Aurora on August 12, 1933. Caroline’s parents were also German immigrants. The wedding date was chosen to accommodate the farm schedule. In 1935, their first child, William Michael Hacker was born. Four years later, Carolyn was born in 1939. 

In 1941, Michael and Caroline purchased the land in Wheatland Township that became the Hacker Farm, on 95th street one mile west of Route 59. They moved to the 120-acre farm in 1943. Shortly thereafter, a foster child, Richard Hubrick, joined the family. 

During the 40s and 50s, Michael and Caroline had a dairy farm and also raised corn, soybeans, wheat and hay. They were active members of the Zion Lutheran Church. Michael was active in his support of the Wheatland School, Wheatland Plowing Match as well as the establishment of Edward Hospital. 

In 1959, Michael and Caroline moved to Benton Street in Aurora, the site of the Griesmann home where Caroline was born. 

Bill and Lorraine (the former Lorraine Kelm) Hacker were married on April 27, 1957. Upon completion of Bill’s military experience in 1959 at Fort Gordon, Georgia, Bill and Lorraine took over the operation of the farm.

Bill and Lorraine had two children who grew up on the farm: Pamela, born on July 11, 1959, and Michael on July 4, 1961.

Upon graduation from Naperville High School in 1957, Carolyn left the farm to attend nursing school in Chicago and later Indiana University. In 1966, Carolyn married Ebrahim Fakouri and they remained in Indiana. 

Throughout Michael and Caroline’s lives, the farm was the site of hard work and many joys including family reunions and picnics.

Michael Hacker died in 1970. Caroline died in 1988. Richard married Ruth Heise and served in Korea. Richard died in 1975. Ruth and family---Ronald, David and Cindy (Married to Randy Johnson. Children are Sarah and Matt.) ---live in the Aurora area. 

Bill and Lorraine have been active members of the Wheatland community. Some of Bill’s service over the years include: Sheriff’s auxiliary; Wheatland Plowing Match Board, President; Wheatland School Board member, prior to the formation of District 204; and the Wheatland Township Board. Lorraine served as president of the Ladies Fair for the Wheatland Plowing Match. They are also lifelong and active members of the Zion Lutheran Church. 

Bill and Lorraine remained on the farm until 1995. At that time they moved to their current address on Cherry Road in Oswego.

Michael and his wife Dawn (Steininger) moved into the Hacker farmhouse and worked the farm along with Bill. Prior to that time, Mike and Dawn lived in the Earl Matter property just west of the Hacker Farm. Mike and Dawn have two children, Scott and Kristen. They grew up walking to the Hacker house and keeping animals on the farm. In 1999, Mike, Dawn and their family relocated to a farm in Lexington, Illinois. 

Pamela married Kevin Schrader. They have two children, Jeffery and Robin. For a time, Pam and Kevin lived in the Fred Hagermann farmhouse. The Schraders now live in Leland, Illinois, where they continue to farm.

Both Carolyn and Ebrahim are professors at Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana, where Ebrahim (retired) from the psychology department and Carolyn continues to be on staff in the nursing department. Their daughter, Mayam, is an art editor and painter in Chicago. Their son, Bejan, is a physician associated with the DuPage Urology Associates in Naperville. Given that the main office is in Naperville, the Edward Hospital connection continues. Bejan and his wife Farah have the youngest family member: Haley was born May 19, 2000. 

The Hacker grandchildren have grown up helping their parents on their farms. Jeff, Scott, and Kristen are active in FFA. Also, Scott and Kristen have been 4-H members for several years with many projects including hogs and cattle. Hence, the farming tradition continues with the Hacker grandchildren.