MICHAEL HACKARESS, who is perhaps the oldest man in Washington county, is a son of James Hackaress, who was born in Old Virginia, during the eighteenth century. The father was born a slave, but bought his freedom with money received from the sale of coon skins, and a little additional help from neighboring planters. After gaining freedom, he was married to Miss Catherine McDow, who had been freed because her owner had failed to register her until the time allotted for the purpose had expired. After his marriage, Mr. Hackeress moved to Washington county, Penn., where he farmed on-shares, and worked at various odd jobs until his death, which occurred in the year 1831. Michael Hackaress was born on Peters creek, Washington county, Penn., February 25, 1792, and when his father died moved to the farm on which he now lives. At that time the on improvements were a little hut, and a garden patch which had been made by some settler who abandoned it to return to a civilized country. Michael was first married to Peggy Jenkins, and they had ten children, namely: James, Edward, Lydia, Maria, Margaret, Eliza, Mary, Michael, and an infant son (unnamed) and W. Casley. Of these children all are now deceased with the exception of Eliza. For his second wife Mr. Hackaress was united in marriage May 9, 1853, with Miss Sarah A. Brown, of Washington, Penn., and their children were Sarah Catherine, Virginia B., Eva A. and an infant. Two of these children are living with their father, who, although over a century has passed since he entered the world, bears lightly the weight of his hundred years, and is still a comparatively strong man. Although he can not labor as in his younger years, he eats as heartily as though he were yet in the prime of life. Mr. Hackaress has been a very successful business man, and now owns 211 acres of good land as can be found in the township. He is upright and honest, and is highly esteemed by his neighbors, being one of the few colored men who have taken advantage of the opportunities given them by the Government. In politics he is a still Republican, and can boast of having voted for every President from Madison to Harrison, and will probably cast a ballot in the next Presidential election.

Text taken from page 929 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed February 1997 by Wilbur Frye of Pacifica, CA as part of the Beers Project. Published February 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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