Joseph Hockman

Our family's history in Henry County began with the arrival of Joseph Hockman and family in 1846. Joseph was the son of Henry and Rebecca (Dillinger) Hockman. He was born in 1807 and was raised on the family farm in Fairfield County, Ohio with his brothers and sisters, Elizabeth, Henry Jr., Jacob, David, Catherine, and Lydia.

Joseph married Mary Macklin in 1830 and they were blessed with six children. Their names were David, Peter, Jacob, Michael, Henry, and Maria. In search for new farm land, which was common at the time, Joseph bought one hundred and sixty acres of government land in Section 28 of Damascus Township. Upon purchase, he went ahead and made a small clearing in the woods and built a small log cabin. After providing safety and shelter for his family he brought them north from their farm in Pleasant Township. There the family of Joseph Hockman began clearing and developing the land for their new farm.

It should be noted that Joseph's move to Damascus Twp. had been preceded by his brother David. David and Joseph both claimed land in 1830 from the Government. Recalling his homesteading later in the "Maumee Valley Pioneer" Aug. 14, 1890, David claims to have been the first white settler on Big Creek, arriving in 1841 with his family. A small section of this land in Section 22 was set aside for a family grave site and has since become the Hockman Cemetery. David also owned the property on which the first school center was built in 1848 in Section 16. In 1874 David Hockman retired to Grand Rapids and lived there until his death.

After many long and successful years on the farm, Joseph passed away on Jan. 6, 1884. He attended the United Brethren Church as did his wife who succeeded him in death on May 26, 1885, at the age of 74 years.

Joseph's son Henry was raised in this new region of rich and fertile land. He took this opportunity at hand and bought forty acres of government land in Section 20 of Damascus Twp. Henry and his wife Eliza (Domer) Hockman worked the farm until his death in 1874. He was just 43 years old when a falling tree killed him while clearing his farm land. Henry and Eliza were the parents of four children. Their names were Joseph, Jacob, Benjamin Franklin, and Peter. Joseph and Peter died while very young. Franklin married Mattie Heyman, and Jacob married Rebecca Warner.

Jacob Hockman or "Doc" Hockman, as he was better known, was my great grandfather. He was born April 22, 1853, and grew to maturity in his father's home. Jacob and his wife Rebecca continued his father's work and brought the family farm to its full productivity. Jacob was still hard at work on the farm when death came to him in 1923. His wife lived on until1941 when she passed away at the age of 88. They both attended the Olive Branch Church along with their two children, Carl and Lottie. Lottie was born on Jan. 15, 1878, and was later married to Fred Van Tassel. Carl was born at home on July 2, 1890, and as he was growing up helped his father on the farm. His first year of schooling was at the Fisher School House and thereafter attended the closer Olive Branch School.

While at a protractive meeting at the Christian Union Church, Carl met Flossie Collins. They were married in the same church and then moved to their first home in Section 29. One of their wedding gifts was a round cook stove from their parents to help them start housekeeping.

Following in family tradition, Carl farmed with his father and later inherited the family homestead. My grandfather lived until Jan. 19, 1968. I can remember thinking he had to be the best checker player ever, because I could never win a game. My brother and I spent many a day helping our grandparents with the duties of the farm and grandmother always having a fine meal ready for us.

Carl and his wife were active members of the E.U.B. Church and especially enjoyed hosting Flossie's Sunday School classes for picnics at the farm. My grandmother is still living on one of the original homesteads of Henry Hockman. She is very active in the McClure Senior Citizens and the United Methodist Church.

Carl and Flossie raised two children, Murl and Rosina. Rosina married Arthur Tonjes from Grand Rapids. They presently live and farm in Damascus Township. Arthur and Rosina have three children, Richard, Carolyn, and Janet, all of whom are married and reside in the township.

Murl, my father, chose the farm life for himself. He aided his father in farming until he was drafted into the army in 1941. He was in the army for four years and was overseas in the Figi Islands during World War II. Upon returning home he met Lucy Klement and they were married in 1946.

Murl and Lucy resided and farmed in Napoleon, and in 1956 moved back to Damascus Township with their two sons David and Bernard. Murl, also known as "Hocky," has been a township trustee since 1960 and is a respected farmer.

Murl and Lucy are members of the United Methodist Church of McClure as are their sons. David Carl, born Jan. 10, 1949, graduated from the McClure High School and is a carpenter by trade. David married Katherine Azar of Ft. Wayne, Indiana on June 1, 1974. The second son Bernard Clifford was born March 13, 1951, and completed high school in Napoleon. Bernard graduated from Northwest Technical College in 1971. He currently is employed by Cochran Electric in Napoleon.

Submitted by Bernard Hockman