"Illustrated History of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties" pub. 1902 by Western Historical Pub. Co. of Chicago. Page 320: "Geroge W. Hacker, who has the distinction of being an old and honored pioneer of the west, and who has contributed not a little to the development of Baker county, was born February 8, 1830. He lived with his parents, Eli and Scena (Smith) Hacker, until twenty-six years old, crossing the plains with them in 1854. Their objective point was Sacramento, California, but they soon moved thence to Marysville, where the father and mother died. For three years following 1859, our subject followed teaming, then he passed a couple of years in Ureka, coming thence in 1861 to The Dalles, Oregon, where he remained about a year and a half, driving stage between that point and Sylila." [Celilo] "Selling out then he engaged in freighting to Boise.

"In the sixties our subject enlisted at Salem, Oregon, in Company C, First Oregon Infantry and from that date until the last disloyal gun was forever sounded he followed the fortunes of war, his term of service being of eleven months' duration. Upon receiving his discharge, he return to Oregon, locating this time at Baker City, and again engaging in teaming. To this he has given himself almost continuously since until about three years ago, when he homesteaded a quarter section of land near Sparta and engaged in raising horses. For many years, also, he gave a portion of his attention to mining. He is an energetic man and a good, thrifty citizen."

Oregon Historical Society Pioneer Index, Oregon, biographical and other index card file 1700s-1900s: Born in East Tennessee, Feb. 8, 1830. Settled in turn in the states Illinois, 1838; Arkansas, 1851. Started to Oregon from Arkansas, Route: Plains, arrived 1852. First location Portland. Soon went from Portland to California mines. Returned in 1861 and for many years was in employ of U.S. military forces in Eastern Oregon, Washington and Idaho in charge of pack trains."