My Genealogy Hound

Hon. W. A. Hackney, one of the prosperous farmers of Equality Township, and son of William M. and Isabel (Rice) Hackney, was born in Cole County, Mo., November 12, 1835. His paternal grandfather, Jacob Hackney, was a resident of Tennessee for many years, although a native of Virginia. He was reared a farmer’s boy, and also followed mercantile pursuits for many years. He died in Laurel County, Ky. William M. Hackney, the father of the subject of this sketch, was reared in Tennessee, but went to Kentucky when twenty-four years of age, where he remained for about one year. In 1833 he came to Missouri, locating in Cole County, near Jefferson City, where he entered a tract of land, built a cabin, and there lived for many years, engaged in tilling the soil. In 1859 he removed to Texas County, Mo., where he died in 1873. He was a soldier in the Mormon War, and was also in the late war. He was captain of Company B, Sixth Missouri Cavalry, which company he raised and organized, and was in a number of hard battles during his two years’ service. The mother died in 1857. They were the parents of ten children, only three now living: Wesley A., Mary E., widow of William Walker, and John L. Wesley A., the subject of this sketch, attained his growth on the farm, was obliged to work hard, and received but little schooling. In 1855 he removed to Miller County, locating on Little Salem, where he remained for five years. In 1860 he purchased the farm where Herman Tillman now lives, and there he resided until 1868. On June 10, 1861, he enlisted in the Home Guards, served three months, and then, January 1, 1862, he enlisted and assisted in raising Company K, Sixth Missouri Cavalry. He was mustered in as second lieutenant, which office he held until the close of the war. He was in the battles of Jackson, Champion’s Hill, siege of Vicksburg, and back to Vicksburg, where they captured the city. He was on the Red River expedition, and was in a number of hard battles. While at Baton Rouge he was on scout duty and was in a number of cavalry engagements. He was captured near Helena, Ark., December, 1862, and was kept in the guard house for about one month with twenty-three comrades. They were then paroled and went to St. Louis, where they were exchanged in February, 1863. Mr. Hackney was mustered out February 22, 1865, and returned home. In 1868 he removed to the Gageville property, struck a lead mine, and sold the property in 1874. He then moved to where the county poor house is, built the house that is now used for the county inmates, and purchased a large tract of land, a part of which is still in his possession. In 1887 he moved to where he resides and built a good house and other buildings. He owns at this time 190 acres of land, with a portion of it under cultivation. In 1882 he was elected to represent his county in the Legislature, and re-elected in 1884. He was married in 1855 to Miss Eliza Roberts, a daughter of Aaron and Elizabeth (Grimett) Roberts. Mr. and Mrs. Hackney are the parents of three children, all deceased. Mr. Hackney is a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge and also the G. A. R. He is one of the prominent men of the county and an enterprising citizen. He discovered what is known as the Hackney Lead Mines, about six miles north of Tuscumbia, which was at that time very wealthy. He sold that mine to a St. Louis company for about $30,000, and $40,000 worth of ore was taken from it.