Frank J. Hecker
Encyclopedia
Frank J. Hecker was an American
railroad-car manufacturer from Detroit, Michigan
) on July 6, 1846. His family moved to St. Louis, Missouri
in 1859, where Frank was educated. He joined the Union Army in 1864, and was appointed first seargent.
After the conclusion of the Civil War
, he hired on as an agent for the Union Pacific Railroad
. In the 1870s, a group of investors from Detroit decided to build a rail line near Logansport, Indiana
; they hired Hecker to manage their project. Hecker took on the project, taking a younger Charles Lang Freer
with him. Although eventually the project fell through, the Detroit investors were pleased with Hecker's work and invited him to Detroit. There, in 1879, Hecker and Freer organized the Peninsular Car Works, which in 1884 was turned into the Peninsular Car Company
. Hecker was president of both companies, and business made both Hecker and Freer rich. Hecker also sat on the boards of the Detroit Copper and Brass Rolling Mills, Michigan Fire and Marine Insurance Company, and the Detroit Lumber Company.
, where he was in charge of transporting Spanish prisoners, and in 1899 was commissioned as a colonel. This service brought him to the attention of President Theodore Roosevelt
, who in 1904 appointed Hecker to the Panama Canal
Commission.
, located on Woodward Avenue in Detroit. The mansion is on the National Register of Historical Places. Charles Lang Freer
's home is next door.
In 1868, Hecker married Anna M. Williamson of Omaha, Nebraska
. The couple had five children: Frank Clarence, Anna Cynthia, Louise May, Christian Henry, and Grace Clara. Frank Hecker dies in 1927.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
railroad-car manufacturer from Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
Early life
Frank J. Hecker was born in Freedom, Michigan (in Washtenaw CountyWashtenaw County, Michigan
Washtenaw County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the population was 344,791. Its county seat is Ann Arbor. The United States Office of Management and Budget defines the county as part of the Detroit–Warren–Flint Combined Statistical Area...
) on July 6, 1846. His family moved to St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
in 1859, where Frank was educated. He joined the Union Army in 1864, and was appointed first seargent.
Business
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, he hired on as an agent for the Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad
The Union Pacific Railroad , headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is the largest railroad network in the United States. James R. Young is president, CEO and Chairman....
. In the 1870s, a group of investors from Detroit decided to build a rail line near Logansport, Indiana
Logansport, Indiana
Logansport is a city in and the county seat of Cass County, Indiana, United States. The population was 18,396 at the 2010 census. Logansport is located in northern Indiana, at the junction of the Wabash and Eel rivers, northeast of Lafayette.-History:...
; they hired Hecker to manage their project. Hecker took on the project, taking a younger Charles Lang Freer
Charles Lang Freer
Charles Lang Freer was an American railroad-car manufacturer from Detroit, Michigan who gave to the United States his art collections and funds for a building to house them. The Freer Gallery of Art founded by him is part of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C..-Early life:Freer was...
with him. Although eventually the project fell through, the Detroit investors were pleased with Hecker's work and invited him to Detroit. There, in 1879, Hecker and Freer organized the Peninsular Car Works, which in 1884 was turned into the Peninsular Car Company
Peninsular Car Company
The Peninsular Car Company was a railroad rolling stock manufacturer, founded by Charles L. Freer and Frank J. Hecker in 1885.In 1892, the company merged with Michigan Car Company, the Russel Wheel and Foundry Company, the Detroit Car Wheel Company and several smaller manufacturers to form the...
. Hecker was president of both companies, and business made both Hecker and Freer rich. Hecker also sat on the boards of the Detroit Copper and Brass Rolling Mills, Michigan Fire and Marine Insurance Company, and the Detroit Lumber Company.
Politics
Hecker was appointed Police Commissioner in 1888. He unsuccessfully ran for Congress in 1892, and was later a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1900. Hecker served in the Army again in the Spanish-American WarSpanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
, where he was in charge of transporting Spanish prisoners, and in 1899 was commissioned as a colonel. This service brought him to the attention of President Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity...
, who in 1904 appointed Hecker to the Panama Canal
Panama Canal
The Panama Canal is a ship canal in Panama that joins the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean and is a key conduit for international maritime trade. Built from 1904 to 1914, the canal has seen annual traffic rise from about 1,000 ships early on to 14,702 vessels measuring a total of 309.6...
Commission.
Home
Hecker is perhaps best known for the construction of the Col. Frank J. Hecker HouseCol. Frank J. Hecker House
The Col. Frank J. Hecker House is located at 5510 Woodward Avenue in Detroit, Michigan. The mansion serves as the Royal Danish Consulate in Detroit. It was designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1958 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.-Col. Hecker:Col. Frank J...
, located on Woodward Avenue in Detroit. The mansion is on the National Register of Historical Places. Charles Lang Freer
Charles Lang Freer
Charles Lang Freer was an American railroad-car manufacturer from Detroit, Michigan who gave to the United States his art collections and funds for a building to house them. The Freer Gallery of Art founded by him is part of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C..-Early life:Freer was...
's home is next door.
In 1868, Hecker married Anna M. Williamson of Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
. The couple had five children: Frank Clarence, Anna Cynthia, Louise May, Christian Henry, and Grace Clara. Frank Hecker dies in 1927.