Johann Hake

Johann Bernard Hake

(Unknown publication date)

Johann Bernard Hake was born 17 April 1832 in Hanover, Germany, a son of Bernard Heinrich Hake and Anna Maria Schweiter. When he was 11 years old (c/1843) he came to America and spent the rest of his life in Osage and Miller Counties of central Missouri.

He married Francisca Catherine Thebing at Westphalia, Osage County, MO on 25 Nov 1856. Francisca was born in Borken, Westphalen, Germany on 25 July 1836. They were married for only one year when Francisca died of childbirth complications. Her only child, Anton Hake, born 8 October 1857, lived a month and he died on November 9, 1857. His mother, Catherine, had died two days earlier on November 7th. Both are buried at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Westphalia.

Johann/John Bernard married his second wife, Maria Gessina Wessling-Brandt, at St. Joseph's Church in Westphalia on May 4, 1858. She was the widow of John Heinrich Brandt. Maria was born at Twist, Hanover, Germany on June 17, 1832, a daughter of Gerhard Henirich Wessling and Anna Maria Elizabeth Temmen.

Maria Gessina and her first husband (John Heinrich/Henry Brandt) were parents of two children: Anna Maria Brandt b. 1857 m. (1) Joseph Brenneke (2) John Henry Schulte; and Gerhard Henry Brandt 1856-1856

John Bernard Hake and his second wife, Maria Gessina, became parents of seven children: Anna Catherine Hake b. 1860 m. Henry Eicholz; Maria Elizabeth Hake b. 1861 m. (1) Steve Lepper (2) Bernard/Ben Kempker; John Peter Hake b. 1864; Bernard Henry Hake b. 1865 m. Adeline Kempker; Mary Adeline Hake b. 1865 (she was a twin to Bernard Henry and she died at the age of 14 years in 1879); Herman Henry Hake b. 1868 m. Sophia Elizabeth Evers; Gerhard Henry Hake b. 1872 m. Anna Kempker

John and Maria moved from Osage County to Miller County and settled in the Marys Home area where they remained the rest of their lives. Maria died on December 28, 1902 and was buried at Our Lady of the Snows Cemetery at Marys Home.

John lived until June 9, 1921 and had reached the age of 89 years. His death was caused by diabetes and the disease had caused him to become blind the last year of his life. He spent his latter years with his son, Herman and family at Marys Home, but at the time of his death he was visiting his daughter, Mrs. Henry Eicholz (Anna Catherine). He was survived by 3 children and a stepdaughter including Herman Hake, Anna Catherine Eicholz, Maria Elizabeth Kempker, and Anna Maria Schulte. He was buried beside his second wife, Maria Gessina (Wessling-Brandt) at Marys Home. They were married for 44 years before her death in 1902.

Obituary of Johann B. Hake

The Eldon Advertiser, June 30, 1921

Grandpa Hake was born April 17, 1832 in Hanover, Germany and died at Mary's Home June 9th, 1921. He came to America when only 11 years old and spent the rest of his time in Osage and Miller counties. He was married to Mrs. Mary Brant who had one daughter, now Mrs. J. H. Schulte, and to their union five children were born, Mrs. Henry Eicholz, Mrs. Ben Kempker, Henry and Herman Hake and Miss Adeline Hake who died when only 14 years old. His wife died Dec. 28, 1902.

He was only sick about two weeks, death caused by diabetes. He was totally blind since April 3, 1920, but his eyes had failed many a year before. He spent his later years with his son, Herman Hake, but was visiting his daughter, Mrs. Henry Eicholz when he took sick and died there.