6/15/2009

The annual Hackerott reunion was held the weekend of June 6-7 in Natoma.  The yearly event is in celebration of Osborne County Pioneers of the Hackerott family who immigrated with their families to the United States from Isernhagen, Hanover, Germany in 1842.  Beginning in 1872 three grown children traveled by oxen drawn wagons to Osborne County Kansas for homesteading:  August Hackerott (1872), Caroline Lisette (Hackerott) Pfortmiller (1877), and Ernest Hackerott (1878).  The oxen were used for their transportation, for breaking sod for houses, and for tilling the soil.  Hackerott's oxen were mentioned in the Kansas Classic, "Sod House Days".  Descendants include farmers, ranchers, homemakers, teachers, university professors, a Fort Hays State University president, artists, architects, writers, musicians, business professionals, scientists, inventors, Christian ministers and missionaries, and United States military veterans.

More than 60 family members traveled from many states and from across Kansas for the two day event.  A six hour tour of Hackerott homesteads on Saturday was hosted by Roger and Mary Ann Beisner who led a caravan of 15 guests along rock and dirt roads through the scenic Blue Hills to locations of schools, churches, cemeteries, sod house foundations, native limestone and wooden houses, and barns, including several unusual round barns.  Late in the afternoon refreshments were served at the Beisner's large 2-story Victorian home built by Ernest Hackerott's son Ed Hackerott in 1907. Through historical writings from family members and with the many sights and smells of blooming prairie flowers, fresh mowed hay, rolling green pastures, and sights of vast fields of wheat, the travelers hearts and minds were drawn back into the 1800's where hardships, challenges, triumphs, and joys made up the persevering spirit of the the Hackerott Pioneers who helped settle the Great Plains.

On Sunday sixty family members gathered at the Natoma Community Center for a social time with viewing of Hackerott photographs, geneology written in volumes, and the Hackerott Heritage Book II compiled by Roger and Mary Ann Beisner, Natoma.  Their latest publication by popularity is into a second printing.  A game called "What Is It?" gave family members a chance at identifying basic antique farm tools, everyday utensils, and gadgets, some of which pre-dated the Civil War.  They were furnished by Arthur Hachmeister and nephew Herbert Hachmeister, Natoma.  Daryl Larson, McPherson, won the game with the most identified in the adult division and Anna Hachmeister, Oskaloosa, won the child's division.

Bouquets of prairie flowers and wheat showcased in antique blue Mason jars adorned the bright red checked and blue checked clothed banquet tables.  The barbeque dinner was prepared and served by Phyllis Kreft, daughters Ginger Reinert and Valeri Werthmann, and their families of Osborne.  Prior to the meal Arthur Hachmeister recited the family's traditional German prayer followed by Dale Beisner's prayer in English.  The fellowship and bountiful dinner exemplified the old saying "when we meet, we eat".

A photo presentation narrated by Roger and Mary Ann Beisner gave a wonderful view into their 2008 adventure traveling throughout Germany.  Their final destination was the Hanover region where the Hackerott's originated from before immigrating to the United States.  Through the Beisner's research they have found documentation of births, baptisms, marriages, and deaths dating into the 1700's.  The greatest surprise for them was in meeting several German cousins who said they "had often wondered if there were family (descendants) still alive in America".  The highlight of their trip was attending a Sunday morning worship service at the Evangelical Lutheran St. Marien-Kirche (church) of the Hackerott/Pfortmiller families in the town of Isernhagen.

The annual meeting was brought to order by newly elected president, Dale Beisner, Natoma.  Correspondence and recognition of those who have been born, married, and are deceased were shared.  Each family was recognized and individually introduced.
Those who were recognized and honored during the day were: eldest man, Arthur Hachmeister, 89 years; eldest woman, Lillie Morrill, 75 years; longest married, Arthur and Evelyn Hachmeister, 63 years; youngest child, Annamaya Hachmeister, 9 years; greatest distance traveled, Jonnie (Hackerott) Thornton, Ft. Worth, Texas.  United States veterans also were recognized.  The afternoon ended with beautiful tributes to Beulah (Hackerott) Larson and Alma (Hackerott) Musgrove who were daughters of Will Hackerott of Natoma.  Daryl Larson, McPherson, gave remembrance to his mother Beulah; and Laura Davenport, Wichita, gave a special reading as a video of her mother's life was played.  Lorena Hackerott, Great Bend, also was sadly recognized with her death one day prior to the reunion.

The history of the Hackerott family reveals the true Pioneer spirit of courage, perseverance, and hope in the Heartland of America.  Each year the Hackerott Heritage reunion continues to bring excitement and anticipation for new "peices to the family puzzle".  The 2010 weekend event will be held in Natoma June 5th and June 6th.  For more information on the event contact Roger and Mary Ann Beisner, Natoma.