HISTORY OF MANITOWOC COUNTY


given only a few of us to observe-the day on which they could look back upon
fifty years of marital happiness. Their golden jubilee was celebrated amidst
the
family and was the occasion for congratulations from many devoted friends
and
well-wishers of this worthy couple.
CHARLES SALAK.
The business interests of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, are in the hands of men of
experience and ability, who have spent practically all of their lives in
the various
lines which they represent, and whose careful management and progressive
ideas
have made the city commercially and industrially sound.
Charles Salak, one of the old and honored business men of this city, has
had
many years of experience as a merchant, his training in this line of endeavor
hav-
ing been with one of the city's largest concerns. Born in Bohemia, May 25,
I843,
Mr. Salak came to the United States in i865, when he began to work for the
firm
of 0. Torrison & Company, and continued with them for a period covering
thirty-
five years, advancing from position to position, and finally owning an interest
in
this large business enterprise. At the time of the death of 0. Torrison,
whose
friend he was, Mr. Salak sold his interest in that business, and embarked
in mer-
cantile pursuits on his own account, as the proprietor of a general store
at the
corner of Eighth and York streets, where he has since continued to carry
on an
extensive and successful business.
Mr. Salak is a republican in his political views, and always takes a keen
in-
terest in local matters and the success of his party, but he has never cared
to
enter the political field for his own preferment. His fraternal connection
is with
the Elks. Mr. Salak has been married three times, and of his children, four
are
still living.
CHARLES HACKER.
Charles Hacker, vice president of the German American Bank of Manitowoc,
Wisconsin, and a man who has been identified with some of the large business
enterprises of this section for a number of years, was born in Manitowoc
county,
September 20, I856, a son of John and Fredericka (Berndt) Hacker, natives
of
Mecklenburg, Germany. The parents were married in their native country and
came to the United States on a sailing vessel which took three months to
make
the trip, and during the last week of the voyage the provisions gave out
and
there was nothing to eat on shipboard except pea soup. On landing in the
United
States the Hackers came to Wisconsin and settled in Newton township, Mani-
towoc county, buying government land in section i8, which they cleared and
cul-
tivated and made their home during the remainder of their lives. John Hacker,
who was born in i8ii, died October 26, i899, and his wife was born in I8I3
and
passed away August 2, i9oi. They were devout members of the Lutheran
church and were the parents of five children, as follows: John, residing
in De-


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