James Hacking

James Hacking was born December 23, 1856, to Jane Clark and John Sampson Hacking in Cedar Fort, Utah County, Utah, in a one-room log house, the first of 14 children.

He had a typical pioneer upbringing, but with four sisters being born before his next brother, they doted on him quite a bit. However, his kind and loving nature caused them never to be sorry for their care. James and his 13 siblings learned to work hard with integrity and faith alongside their industrious and loving parents. But they also enjoy their life with music, dancing, and good clean fun. His parents were not educated, but they were both instrumental in providing those opportunities for their children and the community so James was able to attend Brigham Young Accademy along with other siblings.

Jim became a teacher for a time before he moved with his wife, Annie Maria Glines and two young children in 1879 to the Ashley Valley (area of present day Vernal, Uintah, Utah, USA) to pioneer this new area of the West. They had some very difficult years, but with hard and faithful work and cooperation between their neighbors, they were able to build a wonderful legacy for their 13 children and their numberous decendants.

As of June, 1957 (John Sampson Hacking Family Bulletin #3 1957), "James Hacking and Annie Maria Glines Hacking have had the following descendants: 13 children, 55 grandchildren, 131 great-grandchildren, and 16 great-great-grandchildren."

Children: James Clair, Elizabeth Jane, John Glines, William Ralph, Ambrosine, Nellie, Annie Myrtle, Ray, May, Cora, Fern, Linnie and Owen

James and Annie served in many responsible positions in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Their large home was a gathering place for many activities. James Hacking not only served in his church, but held many civic positions in Uintah County.

He was a commissioner from August 1883 to August 1889, and was bee and hortculture inspector for many years. He held offices and owned stock in the Emerald Oil Company, Milling and Flume Company, Canal companies, a mercantile company, and helped politically.

He owned stock in the first gilsonite mines, selling his interests to Jesse Knight and sons. He was a charter member of the School Board of the Uintah Academy, later high school, from November 2, 1891 until 1906.