Records and Reminiscences By Egid Hackner

La Crosse County Historical Sketches, Series Seven, September, 1945

Published by the La Crosse County Historical Society 

The Hackner plant, familiarly known in La Crosse as the “Altar Factory,” stands high among the many factories of church furniture in the country. Its products are seen in leading churches of our largest cities. We have here the life story of its founder, told in a manner that reflects his classical education in old-time Bavaria. Many of the sculptors in wood and marble employed here during its history have been of German and Swiss birth and training; among them was Albin Polasek, head of the department of sculpture in Chicago’s Art Institute.

Mr. Hackner’s manuscript was written in the German language and script. It was translated at St. Rose Convent, La Crosse, by Sister M. Rosina and typed by Sister M. Mariella and M. Jolene.

I was born at Forschheim, a village of about 250 inhabitants in Bavaria, Germany, in the district (Regierungs—Bezirk) Neumarkt in the circuit (Sende—Kreis) of Oberpfalz, December 27, 1856. I had a twin brother, Ambrose by name, who died in his infancy.

My parents, John and Crescentia Hackner, were blessed with fifteen children, among whom were three sets of twins. Of the twelve sons only six survived; the others died at an early age. Three daughters shared the same fate.

My parents cultivated a farm of sixty acres and at the same time conducted a small hotel or hostelry where travelers and tradesmen lodged for the night, and where a little trade was carried on and settled among the farmers and tradesmen.

Since there was no male inheritor at the death of my grandfather, the property was willed to my mother and she conducted the management of the home.

The custom prevailed in those days that in case a man wished to choose a partner for life, the advice and blessing of the parents was solicited before the engagement took place; and this was faithfully observed in John Hackner’s case. He was nine years older than his fiancé (Crescentia Kapfer).

John Hackner, Sr. was born in Herrensberg, a small village on a ridge of the Jura Mountains watered by the Danube. His six sons were: Joseph, born in 1843; John Jr. in 1845; Anton in 1847; Markus (twin) in 1849; Willibald, in 1852; Egid (twin) in 1856.

My father was well-read, since he possessed at an early age an extensive and choice library. He was a man of peaceful and quiet disposition. Not once did I ever hear him give vent to an outburst of anger or the abusive and profane language, although such conduct was much in evidence in southern Germany and frequently gave rise to strife and hot contention, especially among adolescent youths. Hence it was necessary in conducting a business center, as my parents did, to maintain at all times order and discipline, so that the standards might not be lowered. My mother, however, had long since been inured to carrying on her affairs and maintaining good discipline. Without lowering her reputation she could take part in the merriment of the youth, who admired her as an expert dancer. Joining piety with firmness, she was well qualified to rear her six sons, despite the many dangers which always beset gatherings of people of every description, where the assistance of a daughter would have been very desirable. But she was never at a loss.

I remember very distinctly once, at the time of the carnival, two inimical parties became antagonized and a hot strife ensued; but mother was not slow in calling in four of her older sons and the matter was settled then and there by short shrift.

The food which was served in those days was at all times very substantial as well as palatable. It consisted of rye bread or black bread, potatoes, beef or pork, with kraut and cake. Ham was also served. The loaf of bread was large, being about twelve inches in length, and twelve to fourteen inches in diameter. In cooking, tallow was substituted for butter. Meals always began and ended with prayer. Sufficient supplies for the winter were never wanting among the farmers, especially in our cellar. Excepting Sundays and feast days, guests were less numerous during the summer months than during the winter.

The bouts of labor began at early dawn. Both farmers and artisans became adept in one or another practical craft. The favorite glass of beer was not missing in the workshop nor in the field. During the winter months, the menfolk engaged in playing cards or bunko, a dice game. The women busied themselves in spinning flax for the weaving of linen supplies. Spinning bees were much in evidence.

Merrymaking reached its climax of stunts at the time of the carnival and all sorts of trickery were employed. Young fellows, masked and wearing many kinds of costumes, scouted the neighborhood, helping themselves wherever they could to sausages, hams, eggs, and the like, especially on the Monday and Tuesday of the carnival. A sham police court was also inaugurated and the guilty fellows, if caught, were arrested. The policemen likewise were in disguise. The mock trial ended with a dance designated by the worthy policemen at the expense of the condemned, which was followed by the banquet.

There was one thing, however, to which I could never be reconciled at the time of the carnival in the days of my youth at Forschheim; namely, the mask. Any one who would lower himself to hide behind a mask, even if he had been my best friend, could not consider himself as such afterwards. When masked parades were held at the time of the carnival, I preferred to hide until the carnival was a thing of the past.

On Ash Wednesday silence reigned supreme. Lent had begun and the bustle of public life quieted down. Guests were few in number. On days on which there was no service in the village church the rosary was recited in unison in the homes until Easter.

As I was a mass server, Holy Week and Easter, as well as all the great feasts of the Church, were of great interest to me. Both my mother and her hired maid who was a member of the village church choir, were solicitous that I should miss nothing. The Corpus Christi procession stopped in front of our home, where there was an altar. I, as Mass server, marched along through the decorated streets singing hymns of praise.

Our good pastor was quite advanced in years so an administrator was appointed as assistant, taking charge of the management of all church affairs. He was an excellent speaker and an ardent admirer of all that was artistic and beautiful. He brought it about that a church fund was established for repairs and decorations in the church.

Although I was only nine or ten years of age, I became deeply interested in church art. It so happened that the decorator of our church lodged in our home. He was very efficient, and his frescoes in our church are admired even today after a lapse of more than seventy-five years. Sad to say, some of them have been marred by the tooth of time, chiefly on account of leakage in the ceiling of the church. At that time the altars in the church were also renovated. This was of great interest to me. Instead of spending my leisure hours at play with my companions, I stole away and watched the decorator at his work. I even ventured to construct a model of the interior of the church with a primitive altar and pews. My good mother provided me with the necessary material and with other useful things which she had brought from Altotting, the famous place of pilgrimage in Bavaria where a number of sufferers had obtained cure or relief. It is needless for me to say that my joy was great at being so fortunate a recipient.

The time had now arrived when my oldest brother, Joseph, was obliged to enter upon military service for three years. In those days it was lawful to hire a substitute, so my parents agreed that a man be hired to take the place of Joseph. In the meantime the homestead was renovated and became one of the most beautiful homes of the village.

After the war of 1866 between Russia and Austria the law allowing substitutes was repealed and none could be hired.

One day, during the war time of 1866, I was sent to Freistadt to purchase pretzels. Suddenly a heavy dust cloud was seen in the distance, and a cry of terror was heard on all sides. “The Prussians are advancing!” I ran as fast as I could and breathlessly reached Forschheim. The war, however, was soon at an end. Austria was defeated and the Southern German Confederacy, Deutcher Bund, was dissolved.

My brothers Anthony and Marcus were less fortunate—both had to serve their terms of three years. When the war of 1870 broke out between France and Germany, both were drafted and fought from the beginning to the end of the conflict.

Small villages and feudal estates in those days were not provided with all sorts of arts and crafts, so extensive purchases had to be made in the larger trading centers, which lay at a distance of several miles and around which the petty farms were clustered. In those days these larger centers furnished opportunities for the pursuit of various crafts and arts, such as those of artisan, doctor, surgeon and the like. Any worth while purchases were made directly from the master, who was skilled in the knowledge of the goods in question, and not from petty dealers. This master must understand his trade and give evidence of his knowledge, otherwise he could not obtain license to practice. After a period of years he could become registered; this secured for him room and board free of charge in his declining days. These masters, besides admitting several apprentices, usually employed several more or less skilled workmen, the masters themselves offering a helping hand. Besides, the cultivated small tracts of land, usually about ten acres, so as to liquidate the daily expenses and provide for their needs.

It is evident that an apprentice could, during two or three years of practice, fit himself to pursue his trade in a more extensive establishment. He had learned by doing. My brother Joseph found employment in a meat market at Freistadt. This occupation was to prepare him to take charge of the homestead in Forschheim. He was already a very practical farmer.

As the times became more quiet and peaceful, my parents decided to offer the newly furnished homestead to Joseph. Being the oldest of the six boys he was to keep up the estate for the next generation. He had to take over the responsibility and management of the farm and the hotel business and, according to the law in the estate deed, to pay out shares to the parents and the five younger brothers. He was to choose a bride of a respectable family; but only after the parents of both parties came to an agreement could the engagement take place.

Meanwhile, in Tannhauser, a town which lay at a distance of several miles, a lovely young lady, the only daughter of a well-to-do family, was destined to be the bride of my brother Joseph. She was gifted and second to none in personality and virtue. The ceremony of betrothal was conducted with due solemnity. I was only ten or eleven years of age at that time, but to this day I still seem to see the gorgeously decorated carriage which conveyed her to our premises. This carriage was laden with special furniture, linens, and kitchen utensils; a cradle decorated with flowers, and a spinning wheel were perched uppermost. The horses as well as the driver appeared in festal array; neither did the wags of the village forget to bar the entrance by means of a heavy rope and demand an entrance fee. Of course this was not slow in forthcoming, since a vehicle laden with choice and befitting gifts was ready to meet this emergency, and thus entrance into the village was made in triumph amid the cheers of the beholders.

The marriage was conducted with due solemnity in the village church. The wedding festivity continued in the home of the bride for two days, after which farewell and best wishes were extended generously to the newly wedded couple. The farewell dinner was very impressive. After the meal was over the bride remained seated with the bridesmaid at her right side. Parents, relatives, and all the guests wished her happiness, gave gifts and bade farewell. The bride in turn offered them a glass of wine. While this ceremony was taking place the groom sang folk songs in order to dispel the gloom of parting from home and friends.

This incident likewise became the occasion of my bidding farewell to home and hearth and schoolmates, where and among whom I had spent so many happy hours. It was always a great treat for me in later years to find an opportunity to visit the home town where my brothers Anthony and Joseph still resided. How vividly I now recall those memorable visits, for experience proves to me again and again that the impressions received in childhood days are not easily eradicated, although in senility happenings are scarcely remembered from day to day.

Youth lives in and for the present day, always looking forward to a still happier future, until finally the day comes when the milestone is reached beyond which the future holds in store nothing worth while in all this wide world. Happy then the man who has preserved unshaken the faith inculcated in his youth for now hope will not fail to whisper to him her soothing, comforting words. He will not become morose of despondent, but will experience true joy even in the hour of trial and suffering. He will recall with satisfaction the happiness and pleasure of days gone by.

As mentioned above, our family bade adieu to Forschheim in order to take up abode at a small place which lay at a distance of about three miles, namely at the village of Kleinottersdorf. In order to reach this place it was necessary to make a detour because the shorter route was too steep for the passage of our vehicle.

The new farm home was simple but in need of improvement. The church, school, and parsonage lay at a distance of several miles down the valley, at a place known as Obermassig. Of course this feature was rather undesirable for the older members of the family; but for the younger members, the trip through forest and snow afforded good sport. There was something charming about it.

Moreover, the numerous trees in our orchard promised to bear cherries, apples, and plums, whilst the forest would soon be teeming with all sorts of berries and walnuts. Nature would soon be at its best, and I lived in happy anticipation of its store of wealth. I must admit that although farm work did not exactly appeal to me, I liked the primeval scenes.

How often, when I returned from school at noon, my good mother had the midday meal in readiness and the table with its benches were shoved forward. Thus the delightful hour was ushered in when all the family would congregate in a fashion that is far from being surpassed in many homes at the present time.

The elementary and rural schools of Bavaria in my day were entrusted to teachers who, in order to qualify, must understand music. In the rural districts as well as in the small schools of the cities, it fell to their lot to conduct the church choir in the Protestant as well as in the Catholic churches. (It was only in the larger cities that there were schools for girls under the guidance of sisters or Lehrerinnen) The curriculum embraced reading, writing, arithmetic, singing, religion, and rules of politeness for the upper grades. Attendance at school began at the age of seven and continued until the thirteenth year, with the first Holy Communion or “Confirmation.” Having been graduated, the young person must decide upon the pursuit of some trade or employment, or else continue in school.

At first my entrance upon school work at Obermassig seemed strange to me, but I soon realized that our good principal, Father Herties, was ever on the alert to maintain his school as one of the best in the vicinity. I soon became acclimated both in regard to the school curriculum and among my classmates, and it was not long until I was graduated from the upper three classes of the Obermassig grade school with honor.

I now began to take an elementary course in Latin and entered the Junior Latin class of the gymnasium at Eichstadt where I studied from 1869 to 1871. Here I was fortunate enough to win my first prize in religious instructions and to obtain a No. 1 credit in drawing.

Whilst work on the farm was not to my liking, I was nevertheless ready to lend a helping hand during the summer vacations. Even during the winter months the farmer was always busy; there was grain to be threshed with the flail and then to be fanned to blow away the chaff; hops must be picked, and fuel must be hauled to keep the home warm.

As to lighting, the lantern with its candle served its purpose. My father and brother attended to the heavier farm work. I busied myself about the house helping my mother or hauling water from a spring, for Kleinottersdorf had no wells and the inhabitants caught rainwater to serve their needs. We preferred to fetch our water from a spring situated about half a mile from our home. We hauled it in a small wine cask. Many a time did I draw the small hand sled with its cask of drinking water up the slope during the winter. Mother liked to use the fresh spring water for rinsing the linens.

It was not easy for my good mother to accommodate herself to her new environment. She was conscious of the esteem in which she had always been held in the old circle of acquaintances, and of the amenities of life which she had forfeited; but she never uttered a complaint, for she was fully convinced of the fact that the younger generation must be given room for development.

My younger brother Anthony had now reached the legal age for military service, whereas Marcus, the next in line, had already spent one year in military practice.

It was then that the memorable war of 1870, pregnant with important events, was declared. Both brothers were compelled to take up arms in the conflict between France and Germany. Fortunately, this war was not of long duration, so that at least my father, assisted by my brother John could pursue the cultivation of our farm. My brother Willibald, who was my senior by four year, was little interested in farming but resorted to the books in my father’s library, where he was happy to spend his leisure time.

Since he was exceptionally gifted, it was decided, upon the advice of our Reverend pastor in Forschheim to enroll him at Eichstadt. Pastor Landman had already initiated him into some of the preliminary courses offered at the gymnasium and at the seminary. This center of learning and culture stood in high repute. Together with him a nephew, Anthony Fries, was also enrolled.

The Humanistic Gymnasium in the famous old city Eichstadt served likewise as Episcopal Seminary, and many resident students enrolled in the various courses. The Junior course known as the Latin class required four years, the Gymnasial class which followed, likewise four years. Those students who could afford to do so, or who received support, gladly availed themselves of the opportunity for advancement. From thence they entered the Priests’ Seminary and prepared for ordination, or they pursued some other course or went to some other university. All the universities stood in high repute.

Eventful days for me were the trips I made to Eichstadt in company with my father, or to the castle at Hirschberg near Beilengries, when many of the students of the seminary spent their four weeks of the summer vacation. (The bishop of Eichstadt was of nobility and Hirschberg was one of his summer castles).

My brother Willibald spent eight years in his studies at Eichstadt. When the most Reverent Michael Heiss, who completed his studies here, was consecrated the first Bishop of La Crosse, Wisconsin, he sought not only missionary priests but likewise students for his newly erected diocese. Willibald at once resolved to embark for American and to complete his course of study in the seminary at St. Francis, near Milwaukee, and entered the philosophical and theological courses.

With regard to myself, Kleinottersdorf, out of reach of the noise and bustle of the busy world, had grown dear to me. During the long evenings of the winter our quartet, consisting of father and mother, Willibald and myself, had thoroughly enjoyed the rehearsals of folksongs as well as those of a religious type. And when in the spring of the year all nature awoke from its winter slumbers, and we hurried down along the fragrant slopes, I could but repeat:

In the home, where peace abides,

And where love alone presides;

In the home and down the dell

Where the merry song birds dwell. . . . 

Truly “there is no place like home,” and now, “far removed from that loved situation, a tear of regret will intrusively swell.” “But these things end as all things end here. Nothing in this world can last. Years roll on and pass forever. What is coming? Who can say? Ere this closes, many may be far away, yes, far away.”

In my early school days in Obermassig and during the two years spent in Eichstadt I was privileged to make trips or excursions with my professor, especially on Saturdays and holidays, for the purpose of studying nature and botany. In addition, these trips afforded a favorable opportunity for exercises in gymnastics and in tilting “Turnen.” During the summer we were given a course in the Soldiers’ Swimming School and during the winter we spent some time in learning how to skate skillfully. The ice of the Altmuhle, a tributary of the Danube, served the purpose very well.

But, to return to my narrative, the time had arrived when all of use six brothers must think of the future, but where to find the means was the question. The recent wars had well nigh crippled the farmer, taking away his crops and then levying upon him heavy taxes besides. The upkeep of the home became almost impossible, and when the war was ended each of the four brothers was eager to establish a home of his own. My parents were not slow to perceive that it were better for them to make a transfer of the management of the estate. When I returned home during vacation, I found that the homestead at Kleinottersdorf was given to John, Jr. Joseph and John, Jr. were made lawfully responsible for all the expenditures. My father, however, was very willing to lend his assistance in every way, for he loved farming. Room and board and comfortable quarters were generously provided for my parents by my brother, John Jr.

Now circumstances became such that it was hard to make ends meet in the home. Since it was my ambition to follow church art, I decided to take up an apprenticeship of three years with a renowned master, Michael Wagner, in Freistadt. This I did during the years 1871-1874. The hours of labor extended from 5 A.M. to 7 P.M. Our board was meagre, but I never ventured to utter any complaint, for my brothers would have said, “Stay on the farm.”

A great writer has said: “Reading maketh a full man; writing maketh an exact man.” I venture to add, “Intelligent travel with an object or purpose in view completes a man’s education.” Therefore at the end of my apprenticeship at Freistadt I set out to visit numerous churches and museums in the older cities of Europe. These cities are rich in antiques. Such are Salzburg, Munich, Ratisbone, Zurich, St. Gall, Lucerne, Basel, Strassburg, Freiburg, Heidelberg, Nurenburg, Ulm, Speier, Fridrichafen, Carlsruhe, Augsburg, Zug, all of which have great works of art. I shall never forget the impressions received from them. In each of these cities I obtained employment in woodworking shops for a time, supporting myself by my earnings. These travels occupied the four years, 1874-78.

Irksome though it was to continue in my effort to become skilled in some trade in the workshops of the old country, this sort of schooling nevertheless proved to be anything but wasted effort. Quite the contrary, I became steeled in applying myself untiringly to acquire a thorough understanding of each subject in turn and thus to evade the danger of merely skimming the surface. “Age quod agis” is a good motto. Efficiency and experience have enabled me to conduct my own affairs and ever to bear in mind the old proverb, “Vide quem confidis.”

The Reverend Father Kolping of Koln on the Rhine, the founder of the Gesellan-Vereine (resembling our Young Men’s Architectural Association) had already during my early years in Europe established and extended an association for the purpose of keeping young tradesmen established in their faith and good morals. This existed in Vienna, Cologne, Munich, Freiburg and St. Gallen; also in many cities of Austria and Switzerland. By joining this association young men as well as competent workmen could enjoy comradeship and encouragement, also free board and lodging for a few days when they happened to be among the umemployed. The most important headquarters of these associations were at Cologne, Munich, and Vienna, where also were to be found schools to further their advancement. Even in the smaller towns there existed a spirit of good fellowship; time and again I gladly joined these comrades with song and declamations. The first of these associations of which I became a member was at Salzburg. Very active was the one at Moosburg on the Isar River.

In 1878 I went to Munich where I found employment under a skilled architect and altar builder, Mr. Muller. I was enabled to pass the required examination for the School of Art. I had acquired proficiency in free-hand drawing and architecture; also a knowledge of the history of art, geometry, perspective, and detail drawing—all at the School of Art. Besides, I had learned bookkeeping and arithmetic in the night school of the Kolping Association. I was eager to learn how to make models in specially prepared clay, for I had already become quite efficient in woodcarvings; therefore I enrolled in the Sunday School class from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. In the Modelling School at Rosenthal I was the last one to enroll, but at the close of the semester I was the first to be offered a stipend of 300 marks, which unfortunately I could not accept on account of the visit of my Reverend Brother from America. But I had the joy and satisfaction of being privileged as a student of the School of Art to have free access to all the museums and expositions held in this great center of art, Munich.

My expenses in the Latin school at Eichstadt Gymnasium had not been great since I had free lodging, and on five days of the week a free lunch at noon. The other expenses were covered by my good father. When I had completed my three years of apprenticeship at Freistadt in 1874, had bade farewell to my dear parents, and started out to make my own living, I asked them to send me no money and to expect me to send them none; for I was determined to work my way through and be self-supporting. Only once before, at the time when I attended the School of Art, I wrote to my brother in America, asking him to explain matters to my parents, lest they might be led to fear that I would squander my patrimony.

The School of Art at Munich embraced an extensive curriculum, especially the branches for carvings in wood and stone, decorations, cabinet work, and statuary; also fine embroidery work for ladies. Their department was wholly segregated from that of the men.

The period of labor covered eight hours daily; night school lasting one and one-half hours. Whosoever wasted his precious time cheated no one but himself.

The women in the School of Art had their own department even in the general hall where lectures were given on the history of art and the different styles of architecture, and perspective drawing. Their department of the building had a separate entrance. The men were chiefly engaged in decorative work, sculpture, carvings in wood and metals, statuary and similar skills; whereas the women took to home decorations, embroidery, painting, etc. No doubt this separation of the sexes was a praiseworthy expedient, for it tended to create greater interest and earnest endeavor, forestalling untimely love-making and the like which often end in bitter strife.

My mind was now made up to embark for America. My Reverend Brother Willibald was in favor of this venture. Having packed my small but well chosen library, together with other belongings, I boarded the Ocean Steamer “Herder” at Hamburg, bound for New York. Since I had to reckon with my purse, I chose to travel as a third class passenger, which at that time offered little convenience. The voyage was stormy and I suffered from seasickness. The ship left the old port about the middle of September, 1880, and landed at Castle Garden about the end of the month. From New York I set out at once for Chicago because a friend of mine had provided me with a letter of introduction addressed to his aunt, Mrs. Hackl, who lived in that city. This good woman helped me to board the right train for La Crosse, Wisconsin. Having arrived at this place I chanced to meet a German, who conducted me to the parsonage of the Reverend James A. Schwebach, who some years later became Bishop of La Crosse. Father Schwebach received me kindly and directed me to the Reverend Paul Geier, the pastor of St. Joseph’s Cathedral. It so happened that while I was there my good Reverend Brother walked in for a short call on the Cathedral pastor. And there we met. I do not know which of us brothers got the greater surprise. My Reverend Brother persuaded me to go with him to St. Mary’s Ridge where I remained for three weeks.

At that time La Crosse was proud of its population of 15,000 with its promise of increase, especially on account of its sawmills. Great lumber companies, such as the John Paul Lumber Company, Colman Lumber Company, and three lumber companies on the Black River in North La Crosse, were floating vast rafts of logs from the forests of Wisconsin down the Mississippi, some of which landed at La Crosse and were sawed into lumber. Lumber was the main trade in those days from 1860 to 1900.

Even if La Crosse at that time, 1880, was not a large town, where one might look forward to fame and fortune, still it was ideal in its location and in the congeniality and friendliness of its inhabitants. It served as a peaceful rendezvous for a humble beginner until his name might be echoed beyond its limits.

I liked this situation and decided to set up a little factory here. I had met a man, Matthew Keller, when I first came to La Crosse, who became my life-long friend. He had a tailor shop in a frame building on State Street at the rear of the La Crosse Hotel. Sometime later this space became the property of the hotel. I rented two empty rooms at the rear of this shop for storing my materials and filling my first order. I was fortunate to find room and board with a family, Fickers by name, on La Crosse and Tenth Streets. These people later moved to St. Paul, Minnesota.

I next employed a good man, Adrian Schwartz, to work for me; he became for many years my right-hand man. The first altar we constructed, at the cost of $400, was installed in my brother Willibald’s little frame church at St. Mary’s Ridge, some miles east of Cashton. This altar was of wood, of course, but it was deeply appreciated and served its purpose. No one would have guessed at the time the number of richly gilded, hand-carved altars which the Egid Hackner firm would build as the years went by.

I now made up my mind to make La Crosse my permanent home. It was not an easy matter to establish at the same time both an industry and a home. But, since the location seemed promising, I wrote to my fiancée, Miss Juliana Kracklauer, who was then residing in Chicago, that, if agreeable to her, our Nuptial Mass could be set for May 10, 1881. This would allow us six months to get ready. I rented three rooms at Fickers and made all necessary preparations for our wedding day. The very severe winter of 1880-81 had ended and I could look forward hopefully to a brighter future.

All went on favorably and on May 10 the ceremony took place in all simplicity in St. Joseph’s Cathedral at La Crosse, with my Reverend Brother Willibald officiating. During the Nuptial Mass, the Reverend Joseph Wiedman and the Reverend Paul Geier, both of whom were excellent singers, gave us a never-to-be-forgotten thrill by their artistic rendition of hymns of praise and thanksgiving to God. In the evening of our great day the members of St. Joseph’s Cathedral Choir, to which I also belonged, came to surprise us in our modest new home with the rendition of a charming serenade and a present of a small, marbletop table. This was the end of a perfect day.

My wife and I soon realized that the apartment at Fickers was too small, and so we moved to Ninth and La Crosse Streets where there was more room. Here I could make use of an empty barn for my small factory. But, alas!, the location proved to be undesirable, being near the swampy lowlands between North and South La Crosse. I therefore sought a location on the south side of the city. I purchased two lots on Winnebago and Eleventh Streets on which to build my shop. I rented four rooms in the second story of a house on the opposite side of the street. An outside stairway led to these quarters. Of course, this feature was bad on account of the necessity of carrying both water and fuel up the wet or icy stairway. Then, too, my ideal was to live in the midst of my own and to know just when Mother Hackner was in need of an armload of wood or a pail of fresh water. At this time our little tots were three in number.

Rumors were now afloat that the Sisters of St. Francis intended to build a hospital opposite our two lots just across the alley. There was a nearby house for sale having four rooms. I liked the house, but I hated the idea of borrowing the money necessary to make the purchase, for “he who goes borrowing may expect to go sorrowing.”

It so happened at this time that my Reverend Brother, Father Willibald Hackner, came to pay me a visit and my wife mentioned our problem to him. At once he offered to lend us, without interest, the money needed. I lost no time in getting into possession of the house and moving it over on to our lots, at the same time providing for a kitchen and a cellar. I shall never forget the joy Mother Hackner experienced when all was completed. We now had a home, all our own, and “Be it ever so humble there is no place like home.” Here I spent many happy evenings in singing and playing with the little ones whilst Mother Hackner, wearing her usual smile, busied herself with her unfinished task. “Man’s work ends with the set of sun, but woman’s work is never done.” I will admit that this is, at least partly, true.

All went well and pointed to better and still better days. What did it matter if I pushed my wheelbarrow full of pieces of lumber, sometimes even some of the leavings which I might be able to utilize, along the unpaved street from Segelke & Kohlhaus to my little shop? “A dollar saved is a dollar earned,” and I realized it. Someone had whispered to the members of this firm: “Don’t be hard on this young man; he is deserving and he has a promising future before him. He is both industrious and economical.” We have always been on friendly terms with this company.

In the eighteen eighties, a stream of immigrants came pouring in, and many new parishes were founded. Even if large orders for church furnishings were out of the question, since the immigrants were far from being well-to-do, still I was at least enabled to make a small beginning at my trade. I shared the fate of my neighbors in regard to hard work and inconveniences.

In 1887 I sold the two lots and my home mentioned above, to the Sisters of St. Francis. Their hospital was prospering and in need of room for expansion. Eventually, the hospital should be in possession of the entire block upon which its first portion was built, and it would seem unethical not to lend a helping hand to further a good cause, even if it involved no small sacrifice to relinquish the little home so dear to Mother Hackner and me. No other could quite replace it.

I had purchased two lots on Thirteenth and Ferry Streets and built a new house there. There the home still stands today. The little factory stood close by and gave employment to twenty men in 1894.

Before embarking for the New World, I had seen at Zug, Switzerland, where I was employed about the year 1875, a machine made in America. I was surprised and concluded at once that at least some of the things said about the Americans must be true: “The Americans are practical but they are always in a hurry. They have a mania for mass production and they will, therefore, invent machinery in order to turn out manufactured goods in great abundance. They know how to help themselves and they believe that God helps the man that helps himself. Their inventions are chiefly labor saving devices not only in industries but for homes as well.”

In regard to the machine at Zug, it was a double planer and jointer operated by means of steam-power and without sufficient safety device. It had exacted a heavy toll from the foreman, depriving him of the fingers of his right hand.

In Munich I purchased several implements for hand-planers made in America which were extremely popular and which proved very useful. However, I considered it useless to carry heavy luggage across the sea, and therefore selected only some that would be absolutely necessary, such as drawing instruments. German drawing sets were famous for their fine steel, and were sought for in many places.

From 1881 to 1910 nearly all the work was done by hand in the Hackner workshop, with the aid of primitive machinery. The shop itself during these years scarcely furnished adequate room to accommodate the busy workmen. Meanwhile many improvements had been made from time to time together with the installation of desirable machinery, including such as would safeguard the workmen. These improvements were beneficial in more than one way. It would hardly be possible nowadays to carry on the trade, if such things had been neglected.

For the first ten years I used only foot-power machines for scroll work and mouldings. In those days it was required that the artisan be skilled in his trade, as most of the work was done by hand. He must know and understand his tools; the carpenter, who must handle the handplaner and the work-bench with its devices; the painter, who must use brushes and paints; the agate burnisher, who must burnish the gold leaf; the sculptor, who must be at home with his mallet and chisel. Then too, this kind of work required mush time and labor. But the demand for church furniture and other artistic products was not very great in those pioneer days. However, the work accomplished at this time may well be considered as a relic of by-gone days, which brought forth the originality of the artist and master. For then we could not have mass production, as in the present.

As the population increased, industrial life began to unfold itself and become more widely spread. My little shop likewise became entirely too small. I soon realized that I must look for more spacious quarters and enlarge my work-shop if I wished to carry on the business. Therefore, I got busy and we incorporated as the E. Hackner Co. With the aid of the board of trade the company was enabled to buy several lots on Second and Division Streets and to build a new, strictly modern, well-equipped factory. It was furnished with individual motor-driven machines, such as are used in furniture factories—machines well provided with safety devices for the protection of the working man. The factory was completed in 1910 and gave employment to men numbering from fifty to seventy-five. With its accessories it occupies one-half a block. Carloads of lumber are brought to the premises and the altars are shipped from its doors.

The famous World’s Exhibition held in Chicago, 1893-94, gave ample proof of the progress made here in the development of art, science, and industry at their best, especially during the last century; at the same time it was a harbinger of what might be expected to follow.

For me, this exposition seemed to be a real gold mine, a store-house of knowledge, where I was allowed to delve down and enjoy what many nations from all parts of the world presented to view. I made the trip to Chicago three times and spent eight days each time. Industry, art, and culture seemed to have vied with one another in order to exhibit their very best in the various booths, and to invite the visitors to come, see, and buy. As to the last, the results were quite disappointing, for there were many who came merely to copy and not to purchase or place an order.

At later expositions, held at St. Louis, Buffalo, and San Francisco, the enthusiasm of the exhibitors had abated considerably. I spent eight days at each of these expositions and I made a study of what I could otherwise never have accomplished without insurmountable difficulties and enormous expense. Thus I was enabled to make up for much that I had missed in my earlier days when the necessary means were wanting and I could only avail myself of night school and private study.

Despite the wars, the Egid Hackner Firm has held its own and even now, 1944, there are orders for marble altars to be made as soon as it becomes possible to import Italian marble.

Speaking of marble work, the altars in St. Rose Convent Chapel in La Crosse are said to be unique. There are six, and the construction of them occupied a period of two and one-half years. All the designs and patterns for the marble and brass work as well as the models for carvings and relief work were made in the factory under the supervision of Egid Hackner. They were installed in the year 1907. It is no exaggeration to say that these altars seem to vie with one another in beauty and perfection. All are constructed of very fine Italian marble: carrara, bianco, chiarro, bianco-purissima, interspersed and decorated with flawless Mexican onyx, mother-of-pearl, and precious gems. Very artistic and colorful designs are carried out by means of Venetian mosaic which is second to no other. The keen observer will perceive that each little particle is coated with an almost invisible film of glass, which serves to protect it from the effects of the moisture that is caused, now and then, by sudden changes of temperature in the chapel. The immaculately white carrara statues carved in Italy, on or near the altars, speak volumes for the sculptors. Some of the stone carving, however, was executed by our artists, especially those of smaller orders. The altars of St. Rose Convent were the beginning of other marble contracts and when marble work for churches became free of duty we found it necessary to connect our firm with a reliable firm in Pietra Santa, Italy.

The Egid Hackner firm began its marble work about the year 1891; it came to an almost abrupt ending in 1940 when marble could no longer be imported because of the war. At present, 1944, no marble can be obtained from Italy.

As time went on, some of God’s choicest blessings came to our home again and again, and each new arrival brought to the family cheer and increased happiness; neither did Death ever venture to cross our threshold until 1932, when Mother was called away after an illness of several months. This was a severe blow, for she had always been a devoted wife and loving mother. She left behind all her children, eight in number.

It is a source of comfort to me as I sit musing in the decline of my years after an active and strenuous career of sixty years that my sons and daughters are capable of and willing to lift the burden from my shoulders. I can truly assert, “They have never given me any serious cause for worry.” Despite wars and strikes the Egid Hackner firm has held its own, always mindful of the principles, “There is strength in unity” and “Vide cui fidas.”*

I cannot forget the happy hours spent in the midst of our little boys and girls when their merriment reached its climax, because, after the day’s toil their father would take part in the games which they had invented; or when we would sing “Ich bin ein Musikant” and they played the accompaniment on very primitive instruments. Mother Hackner, always the sunshine of the home, would watch the performance with a smile, if not with an outburst of laughter. She was always possessed of an invincible patience and forbearance with the sixteen children about her door, half of whom belonged to the next-door neighbor. She was not disconcerted even if now and then they paid a visit in her garden and relieved her of the trouble of picking some of her nice berries and of eating some of her fresh, juicy vegetables.

The neighbor mentioned above was the princely Dr. Adolph Gundersen, our family physician. It was, no doubt, a gratification for the two fathers to witness the sports of the baseball teams, Gundersens and Hackners, in the noisy alley close by, instead of worrying about what might happen if these lusty youths preferred to expend their surplus energy elsewhere. They were good pals.

I am confident that our sons and daughters will always remember their mother and father with filial love; will remember a happy home life and a brotherly and neighborly mingling with fellow-citizens and friends. That is and will be a thankful remembrance in my old days.

*Robert Hackner is now President of the Egid Hackner Co.; John Hackner is Vice President; George Hackner is Secretary; Julia Hackner is Treasurer. The husband of Catherine, Mr. Henry Schmidt, is agent for the company in Chicago. Elizabeth is Sister M. Marietta at St. Rose Convent, La Crosse, where she is head of the art department. Anna Hackner presides over her father’s household. Willibald was ordained in the Catholic priesthood in 1915.

More Records and Reminiscences By Egid Hackner

La Crosse County Historical Sketches, Series Eight, September, 1955

Published by the La Crosse County Historical Society 

One of the most memorable events of bygone years was the annual picnic of the E. Hackner Co. when employees and employer manifested a truly American, democratic spirit, joining hands in an outing, which I have always looked upon as means of promoting good fellowship. Even during the first years, when the crew was small, preparations were made for this event and committees appointed months ahead of time. This practice was kept up until the celebration of the Fiftieth Jubilee of the firm, when business was at its best. Americans, Poles, Swiss, Norwegians, and German all worked together heart and soul. There were the singers, a small orchestra, the fishers, a committee to prepare the picnic dinner, another to attend to the boat rides, and other amusements. Some of the personnel, it is true, were rather advanced in years, but on that day all seemed to have become boys once more. The few who have survived these pioneer days still love to recall the happy hours spent on the E. Hackner Company’s wonderful picnic days.

In those early days I frequently attended the meetings of the Board of Trade in order to become better acquainted with the duties and customs of, to me, a new world, to take part in their activities and to become a true and loyal citizen of the good old U.S.A. Here, too, I was graciously welcomed and received every attention that could be shown.

I have often marveled at the fact that in the conglomeration of nations here in our Land of Freedom, there has been so little friction. Here they are forming one great nation, regardless of differences in color, creed, or nationality.

I became established in my business and received nice orders, even though I possessed neither means nor a machine equipped factory. My wife and I, however, were not afraid of work and filled with the spirit of sacrifice, took new courage. We realized that all beginnings are difficult.

In my business travels through the Middle West during the pioneer stage, I witnessed the beginnings of many firms. Even in the city of La Crosse small factories grew up and developed with the greatest success. Some of the older firms with which I have always been on friendly terms were the L. A. Hirschheimer Co., Segelke and Kohlhaus Mfg. Co., the Torrance Co., Wm. Doerflinger, The Trane Co., Albert Funk, the Moto-Meter Gage & Equipment Company, the breweries, and numerous others.

These good friends were a source of edification and encouragement to me, especially in the earlier years, when the struggle against hardships was discouraging at times, but I failed not to see that they, too, were far from entering upon the projects in full panoply, but must await natural growth and development; and I said to myself, “If they succeed why cannot I?” there is an old proverb which says: “That which consumes much time, is most likely to last for a long while.” The fear of getting deeply into debt and being the cause of failure to others, haunted me most of all. “No such a thing must happen,” I said, and thank God it did not happen.

From the first year of my arrival in La Crosse, I became a member of St. Joseph’s Cathedral parish, joined the choir, and took an active part in aid societies. My work gave satisfaction and, through the recommendation of the clergy, spread far beyond the boundaries of Wisconsin. Orders soon became large and numerous. I understood that soon, the business must be enlarged and put on a safe footing. I consulted Lawyer Schubert about my plans. In 1910 the E. Hackner Co. became incorporated. This undertaking however, was put to a severe trial. First, there came about a sympathetic strike among the workmen. Second, a severe shock came to me when I lay on a bed of sickness which required several operations. My good neighbor, Doctor Adolf Gundersen, spared no effort and forced me to take a complete rest for a whole year. Business soon took on a better outlook and I was again able to design plans, to superintend the general work, and to make the usual business trips, meet the Reverend Pastors, with their assembled committees, explain the drawings and come to an understanding and agreement about the work, sign contracts, etc. My two sons, John and George, were in the factory with me and of much assistance in filling large contracts, both in marble and wood, whilst the youngest, Robert, was studying architecture. My daughter, Julia, was bookkeeper and secretary of the firm.

Then came the World War I and George was drafted into the army. A little later, Robert joined the navy. Business began to slow down, but I was able to keep above water, and when the war ended both boys, thank God, returned home.

Things now took on a new aspect. Business began to flourish and many large contracts were executed, new and skilled workmen were employed and improvements made. But then conditions changed. The deflation in 1929 and World War II put another damper on business. But thus far the E. Hackner Co. is holding its own and will make every effort to keep up its reputation and continue its artistic work.

My first large contract was for three altars for Holy Trinity Church in Milwaukee. The Reverend Pastor, Father Conrad, left the execution of the work entirely to my judgment. But there were a number of critical characters who wondered what that new comer from the small and unknown city of La Crosse was capable of executing especially since there was a good firm represented in Milwaukee.

This contract was of great importance to me and brought new customers and large orders. Some of these were for the chapel of St. Joseph’s Convent, La Crosse, the churches of St. Ann, St. Sabastian, St. Peter, St. Anthony, all of Milwaukee, and the beautiful Holy Name Church at Sheboygan, Wis.

About the year 1900 news reached me that a new altar was to be erected in St. Michael’s Church, Chicago, one of the largest churches and congregations of that city. I put in my bid and drew up a plan which was accepted. Every detail was carefully considered to offer first class workmanship which would be beyond criticism in the liturgical sense as well as otherwise. It cost me many a sleepless hour, for Father Weber, C. SS. R., confided to me that unfavorable comments were made which caused him much difficulty. They argued, “Why give the large contract to a firm from so insignificant and almost unknown place as La Crosse?” The building of the altar required a period of about two years. All the parts were carefully fitted before being packed and shipped. The setting up of the altar required a period of fourteen days, during which a huge curtain was stretched across the sanctuary. Finally, preparations were made for the solemn dedication. At the appointed hour all the bells of the church rang out the glad tiding, proclaiming the good news to the four winds. The spacious edifice was packed to capacity. Then, as the long procession of acolytes and hierarchy, followed by Bishop Muldoon, filed slowly up the aisle, the new electrical illuminations were tuned on, sweet strains of music from organ and orchestra reverberated from arch to arch. The audience sat breathless. When the procession neared the sanctuary, the curtain fell as if by magic, and there stood the altar in all its splendor. The vast multitude was taken by complete surprise and a reverential “Ah!” was heard on all sides.

Mr. Rosenblatt, the contractor for the electric lighting, who sat near me whispered: “What would not many a moneyed man give, could he but witness its completion!”

The lower part of the altar corresponds to the Mysteries of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, instituted by Christ Himself; whilst high above, apparently in the clouds, there stands the majestic figure of the great Saint Michael, the Patron of the Church, thrusting his spear upon the infernal dragon, enveloped in flames at his feet. The vast audience was overawed, and the Reverend Rector was more than pleased.

When the ceremonies were completed, I was introduced to the trustees of the Congregation, and they expressed their congratulations and perfect satisfaction.

The good Reverend Rector, Father Weber, C.SS.R., had more to offer than words, for he realized that the Hackner Company had actually outdone itself in this work. His generous gift was all the more deeply appreciated because it was given unsolicited.

Archbishop Cardinal Mundelein of Chicago, the great builder of churches, colleges, and other institutions, was likewise a good patron of our firm. As we had much work in Chicago it became necessary to have a representative agency located there. Henry Schmidt, who studied architecture in Munich, was engaged for this purpose, a position which he stills holds. In Buffalo, New York Kluth represented our firm in the Eastern States. Since his death in 1943, this agency has been discontinued owning to the scarcity of workmen during wartime.

I cannot pass over in silence my faithful co-laborers, men of sterling worth, many of whom have already been laid to rest, whilst a few are still here to remind us of the past. They were workmen upon whose co-operation I could always depend. In the department of sculpture, there was the untiring Adrian Schwartz, always at my right hand in this line of work. There was Dajaco, who had received his training in the Province known as Roman Switzerland. There was Henry Steffel, skilled in wood and stone carving; Albin Polashek who studied in Philadelphia, Paris, and Rome; later he was the head of the sculpture department in the Art Institute of Chicago for many years. There was—Gewand, who carved the group of figures surmounting the altar of St. Michael’s Church in Chicago. From the Swiss School in Brienz came several good carvers. Among them was the expert Rudolph Blatter, who, despite his advanced age and like myself retired, has not lost interest in his art. He was at the head of the sculpture department for many years, took great interest in the business, and was one of the advisors in the firm. His brother-in-law, Emil Ruoff, is still active in the Hackner workshop. The Steiner brothers were likewise from the same school.

At the head of the decorating and gilding department were Hoepfinger and Michael Hackner. The former instructed my nephew, Mike Hackner, who until his death, was the manager of this division. This is now under the supervision of his former pupil and assistant, Max Burgermaier.

Among the able workers and foremen in fine cabinet making were Frank Munz, Lorenz Leis and William Rendler. The last was succeeded after his death by—Weisland.

Fortunately, we have always been successful in combating the production of imitation and gypsum statuary, so plentiful on the market, and can still carry on successfully the work of hand-carved statuary. For this purpose two more skillful men, Michael Bayer and Joseph Schoenberger have been added to the number of carvers.

The present war, (1945) however, with its call to military service has greatly decreased the number of men, especially the younger members.

Moreover, since the need for defense work is so pressing and jobs are so plentiful, it is impossible for us to compete with government wages.

However, we have this satisfaction, that the restless and dissatisfied union agitators have joined the defense workers and have left us in peace to continue our work according to our motto, “Live and let Live.”

What the future has to unfold another generation will solve and work the new on the foundations of the old.

As in the case of Mr. Hackner’s first article, that appearing in La Crosse County Historical Sketches, series 7, this supplementary story was written in the German language and script. It was translated by Sister M. Marietta of St. Rose, Convent, La Crosse.