Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2014 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== A Standard History of Starke County, Indiana McCormick, Joseph N. - 1915 [224-226] WILLIAM HANKEY. Starke County had cause to regret the removal of one of its most substantial and thrifty citizens in the death of WILLIAM HANKEY on July 21, 1911. WM. HANKEY had spent the greater part of forty years in Starke County, was a capable mechanic, assisted in the building and construction of many houses and other structures in this vicinity, but his chief business was as a far- mer, and the homestead which he developed and cared for during his lifetime is now regarded as one of the best farms in Railroad Township, being situated on section 17, with San Pierre as post- office. MRS. HANKEY and a number of her children are still at the old home and their influence as workers and citizens is one that may be well continued for many years to come in Starke County. The late WILLIAM HANKEY was born in Posen, Germany, December 9, 1850, and was therefore in his sixty-first year at the time of his death. His parents were CHRISTOPHER and ANNA (SCHMIDT) HANKEY. His father was a cabinetmaker in the old country, followed that trade a number of years and while living in Posen four sons and four daughters were born. These children were all yet unmarried when the family in 1871 set out from their native land, and em- barked on a vessel at Bremen which landed them after many days of sailing in New York City. From the eastern seaport they came west to Wanatah in Laporte County, Indiana, and after coming to this country CHRISTOPHER HANKEY changed his occupation somewhat, com- bining farming with the business of carpenter. He was an expert and finished mechanic and his services were greatly in demand. A few years after locating at Wanatah the family removed to North Judson in Starke County, and somewhat later still transferred their home to Railroad Township, where the father bought eighty acres of land in section 27. He improved this land from a wilderness condition, and made that the home of his declining years. He passed away February 2, 1902, while his wife died in May, 1893. They were mem- bers of the Lutheran Church, and in politics the elder HANKEY was a democrat. The late WILLIAM HANKEY was the oldest son and the third child of a family of eight children. He had just reached his majority when he came to America, and in the meantime had secured a good education and also had served an apprenticeship in the trade of his father. He likewise possessed skill as an artificer in wood and metal, and for a number of years actively followed the trade of house carpenter. Like his father, he combined that vocation with practical farming in Railroad Township, and year after year con- trived to prosper and add a little bit to the sum total of his material resources. When he died he was possessed of an estate of more than three hundred acres of fine land and had always stood as one of the most capable farmers and stock growers in that section of Starke County. His crops were mainly corn, rye and potatoes. He also raised considerable stock, and was an all around good farmer. In local matters he took much interest, and was a regular voter with the democratic party and a man whose prosperity had been so well earned that it gave him the thorough respect and esteem of his entire community. In Railroad Township in 1881 WILLIAM HANKEY married Miss ROSE DALKA. Her birthplace was also Posen, Germany, and her birthday was Christmas Day of 1859. Her family for generations back were farming people and her parents were MICHAEL and ANNA (TESSLOFF) DALKA. They lived in Posen until most of their children were born. Two of the DALKA children died young, and in 1861 the parents with their chil- dren MICHAEL, JOHN, CHARLES and ROSE emigrated to the United States settling in Pulaski County, Indiana, where her father bought and improved a good farm in Cass Township. His death occurred there September 7, 1884, at the age of sixty-four, while his widow sur- vived until June 5, 1910. Four days later she would have celebrated her eighty-second birthday. They were of the best type of German people, thrifty, of sound morals, and made any community better for living therein. They were of the faith of the Lutheran Church, while in politics MR. DALKA was a democrat and held several minor offices. MRS. WILLIAM HANKEY became the mother of thirteen children. Two of these, THEODORE and HERMAN, died in childhood. The eleven still living are: LENA, wife of WILLIAM KELLERMAN of North Judson, and the parents of one daughter LENA; JOHN A., a farmer in Wayne Town- ship who married LYDIA WEINKAUF, and has three children, LLOYD, EDNA and HARRY; WILLIAM, who lives at home and is an expert and vigorous young farmer, having the practical management of his father's fine estate; EDWARD, who lives at home, but who by profession is a moving picture operator; HENRY a farmer, lives at the old homestead most of the time; EMIL, who is a graduate from the South Bend Business College and is associated with his brother EDWARD in the moving picture business; ELVEY, at home and unmar- ried; LEONA L. and ANNA M., twin daughters who are uow about sixteen years of age, and received good educational advantages in the local schools and are both promising and attractive young ladies. The family are all confirmed members of the Lutheran Church and attend worship at San Pierre, while the sons are democrats. ===========================================================================