George C. Heckman

Reverend George Creider Heckman D.D., LL.D (January 26, 1825 – March 5, 1902) was a Presbyterian minister and the ninth president of Hanover College serving from 1870–1879.

The Reverend George C. Heckman D.D., LL.D
Born	January 26, 1825 Easton, Pennsylvania, US
Died	March 5, 1902 (aged 77) Reading, Pennsylvania, US
Nationality	American
Education	Lafayette College Princeton Theological Seminary
Occupation	Presbyterian minister
Ordained	February 8, 1849
Writings	Dancing as a Christian Amusement, 1879
Offices held	Hanover College president 1870-1879 Pennsylvania German Society president 1891-1892

Early life

Heckman was born on January 26, 1825 in Easton, Pennsylvania to John and Mary Heckman, both of German descent.[1] Heckman first pursued education in the field of ministry while studying at the Easton Classical Academy and later attended Lafayette College at the age of 16, graduating in 1845.[2] After his graduation from Lafayette he attended Princeton Theological Seminary where he graduated in 1848. He was first licensed to preach on August 4, 1846 and was ordained by the Presbytery of Steuben, New York, on February 8, 1849.[1]

Career

Heckman's first eight years as a minister were spent in Port Byron, New York. In January 1857 he responded to a missionary call and preached for four and a half years in both Portage and Janesville, Wisconsin. He then took his preaching to Indianapolis, Indiana for three years.[1]

During the American Civil War, Heckman was requested by Colonel John H. King to join the 9th Regiment as volunteer chaplain. While in the infantry, Heckman was a sergeant in a company of Indiana minute-men, formed entirely of clergymen, though never called into battle.[1]

Following the war, Heckman returned to the ministry, practicing in Albany, New York. He was requested numerous times over the following years to take on the role as president of Hanover College, and was presented by the college with an honorary Doctor of Divinity in 1868.[2][3] By 1870 he agreed to take over as president, taking over the presidency at a trying time for the college.[4] During his nine years as president at Hanover, Heckman was known for erecting the President's house, securing $50,000 in funding from alumni contributions, and "laid foundations for the future growth and stability of the institution."[5] Towards the end of his presidency the college came into financial crisis when a bad investment by the school's treasurer greatly reduced the college's income. Heckman, unable to provide for his family at a now reduced salary, resigned as president in 1879.[4][5]

Heckman continued his pastoral services for the next twelve years in churches in Avondale, Pennsylvania and Cincinnati, Ohio, and also served as secretary of the Centennial Fund for the church for one year during its centennial in 1888.[6] Upon the conclusion of his duties in this office in 1889 he agreed to take the role as pastor in Reading, Pennsylvania.[1] Here, Heckman was greatly favored, and during the 50th anniversary of his ordainment was given a large celebration put on by the entire town.[6] He was also at this time awarded an honorary Legum Doctor degree, again by Hanover College, in 1890.[2][3] During his tenure in Reading he attempted to retire twice but both times he was persuaded against this decision.[6] An agreement was reached in 1901 to allow Heckman to retire, but stay on with the church as a Pastor Emeritus.[7]

Personal life

On June 11, 1850 Heckman married Josephine A. Davis, and together they had eight children together.[1] He was a long time member of the Sons of the American Revolution and president from 1891-1892 of the Pennsylvania German Society.[8] He also served as a trustee on the boards of both Hanover and Lafayette College, and gave an address at the semi-centennial commencement of Lafayette College in 1882.[9]

He also published a book Dancing as a Christian Amusement in 1879.[10]

Heckman died in Reading, Pennsylvania on March 5, 1902 from heart failure.[1]

References

1. County, Historical Society of Berks (1904). Transactions of the Historical Society of Berks County. The Society. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
2. Association, Princeton Theological Seminary Alumni; Dulles, Joseph Heatly (1909). Necrological Reports and Annual Proceedings of the Alumni Association of Princeton Theological Seminary. Princeton Theological Seminary. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
3. The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography: Being the History of the United States as Illustrated in the Lives of the Founders, Builders, and Defenders of the Republic, and of the Men and Women who are Doing the Work and Moulding the Thought of the Present Time. J.T. White. 1899. p. 125. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
4. Moore, A. Y. (1900). History of Hanover College. Indianapolis: The Hollenbeck Press. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
5. Millis, William Alfred. The History of Hanover College From 1827 to 1927. Hanover, Indiana: Hanover College. pp. 71–73. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
6. Book of Biographies: This Volume Contains Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Chenango County, New York. Biographical Publishing Company. 1898. pp. 207–208. Retrieved 16 November 2017. george c heckman civil war.
7. "Dr. Heckman Remains as Pastor Emeritus". Reading Times. 87 (93). January 17, 1901. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
8. Society, Sons of the Revolution Pennsylvania (1902). Annual Proceedings. The Society. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
9. Heckman, George C.; Lafayette College (Easton, Pa ) (1882). Address at the semi-centennial commencement of Lafayette College, delivered June 27th, 1882, by Rev. George C. Heckman ... Printed by request of the Board of Trustees of Lafayette College. Easton, Pa. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
10. Heckman, George C. (1879). Dancing as a Christian Amusement. Philadelphia: Presbyterian Board of Publication. Retrieved 16 November 2017.