Herman Everett Heacker was born at historic Bean Station, Grainger County, TN June 7, 1886. No doubt his decision to become a medical doctor was greatly influenced by his ancestral background, and more specifically by his outstanding grandfather, DR. WILLIAM JOSEPH HEACKER.
Herman's great grandparents were Professor JOSEPH HEACKER (11/21/1803) who was a high school teacher in Germany, and FREDERICA VAN LOESSE (4/10/1808) who was born in a castle at Barbeck, Providence of Westphalia, Germany near the Rhine river. They emigrated from Germany in 1851, and settled in Louisville, KY where he operated a store. He and his wife died in 1883, and are buried at Bean Station, TN. William Joseph was the eldest of their nine children.
Herman's grandfather, Dr. WILLIAM JOSEPH, was born in Westphalia, Germany March 26, 1832. His parents entered him in the studies for priesthood, but later agreed to send him to medical school. He was educated at Frederick William's Gymnasium, Cologne, Prussia, and afterwards graduated from the Medical University of Bonn. Dr. Heacker was transferred to the hospital department, Hotel Dieu, Paris, and served there until he resigned in 1851 to come to America with his father. The mother and other children followed in 1852. Dr. Heacker began his medical practice in Louisville, KY. On April 28, 1856, he married ARMILDA WRIGHT (6/15'/1837- 5/14/1896) of Bridgeport, KY. In 1861, he enlisted in the Confederate Army. He was captured and escaped twice, joined Gen. John H. Morgan's Raiders and was captured a third time. The war left him with financial difficulties.
After the war, he began a new practice in Jasper County, IL. He was extremely successful, and built the "Illinois Infirmary" with a branch office in Vincennes, Indiana, which was under the charge of Professor E. A. ARNOLD, M.D. He spoke five languages, was skilled as a musician on several instruments, was an exceptional artist, and for over forty years wrote regularly for a number of medical journals.
In 1878, Dr. W. Heacker traded his IL property for a farm ten miles north of Morristown, TN. He owned land operated a sanitarium, and a 200-room hotel at Mineral Hill Springs as a spa and summer resort. The hotel site is now inundated by the waters of TVA's Cherokee Lake. The doctor's wife, Armilda, died May 14, 1895, and he died March 19, 1914. They are buried at Bean Station.
EDWIN WILLIAM HEACKER, the eldest son of Dr. W. J. Heacker, was born Nov. 29, 1857. He married MARGARET CATHERINE CROXDALE (12/25/1861- 4/12/1930). Edwin W. worked as a conductor for the Southern Railway. He died 12/4/1903 in St. Joe, Texas. He and Margaret had ten children as follows: LEONA, FRANK, HERMAN, JAMES, MAE, LOURETTA, ARMILDA, NETTIE, EDWIN, and EFFIE DAY HEACKER.
Herman E. Heacker attended schools in Knoxville until his parents moved to St. Joe, TX in 1896. His parents returned to Bean Station in 1908. He then attended Carson-Newman College for two years, and worked at the Mineral Hill Springs Hotel. He received his Doctor of Medicine degree at the University of TN School of Medicine at Memphis in May 1916.
Dr. Heacker married (2/4/1911) the beautiful DORA GRACE SMITH (3/8/1890 - 9/8/1925) of Halls Cross Roads. She was the daughter of a Baptist preacher, JOHN GORDON SMITH and MARTHA J. MCLOUD SMITH. Dora had a twin sister, NORA G. SMITH, who married WILLIAM W. MORRIS. She was a teacher, and he was the Superintendent of Knox County Schools.
Dr. Heacker began his medical practice at Coalfield, TN [Morgan County] in 1916 as "Company Doctor" for Coalfield Coal Company and Conger Coal Company, and had a general practice in the community. He was well-liked and his practice grew. He then moved to Oliver Springs in 1923.
He bought a home from Alex Jackson on Kingston Avenue adjoining the present High School, and bought the former Farmers Bank brick building on the same street for an office. Later, he bought the 2-story Tri-County Bank building on Main Street for an office. He enjoyed a fine practice in the Oliver Springs - Coalfield communities. He always drove a Packard car in making his rounds. Dr. Heacker was active in town affairs. He was a Democrat, a Mason, a member of Easter Star, and active supporter of good schools. He served as Mayor of Oliver Springs 1939-1943.
All of Dr. Heacker's children graduated from Oliver Springs High School, and were active in town affairs. He and Dora Grace had the following children:
Dora Grace died September 8, 1925, and was buried in Lynnhurst Cemetery in Knoxville. Dr. Heacker married (1826) secondly, ANN CORA ADKISSON (1896-1955) of Roane County who was a teacher. Their children are:
Dr. Heacker died November 30, 1946 and "Mother Ann" died in June of 1955. They are buried in Lynhurst Cemetery in Knoxville.