Charles H. Hackley: A Man with a Vision
The name Charles Henry Hackley is synonymous with Muskegon.
The lumber baron and philanthropist, responsible for creating "the new Muskegon," arrived in the city in 1856 with $7 in his pocket.
Born in 1837 in Michigan City, Ind., Hackley came to Muskegon to join his father at the Durkee, Truesdell Company as a scaler and foreman. A year later, Hackley's mentor Gideon Truesdell sent him to business college in Kenosha, Wis., and promoted him to bookkeeper. In 1859, Hackley, his father Joseph Hackley and Truesdell joined to form J.H. Hackley & Company sawmill, marking the beginning of Hackley's fortune.
By 1900, the once-thriving lumber town of Muskegon was in danger of dying. The white pine forests were logged out and most lumbermen had moved on.
Charles Hackley was keenly aware of the city's plight. He used his business expertise to turn Muskegon into an industrial city by creating incentives to attract companies like Chase Piano, Amazon Knitting, Shaw-Walker, Brunswick and Continental Motors. Rather than following the other millionaires who were exiting the city, he chose to embrace it.
"He was a lumber baron, but he diversified faster than other lumber barons," said John H. McGarry, Muskegon County Museum executive director. "He was an incredibly astute businessman.
"He did a lot of good for the community, but as a major stockholder, he did very well for himself, too."
Hackley, a follower of Andrew Carnegie's philanthropic guide "The Gospel of Wealth," spent the last 16 years of his life funneling his fortune back into Muskegon.
"A man who dies rich dies disgraced," Carnegie wrote. "A man who accumulates great wealth has a duty to use it for 'the improvement of mankind.'"
"There is no question that Hackley was heavily influenced by Andrew Carnegie," McGarry said.
Hackley was a low-key public figure who shied away from the limelight, according to McGarry.
"We have very little in direct words from him," McGarry said, adding that Hackley is rarely quoted in newspaper interviews and did not keep a journal. "It's difficult to pry into his mind."
But in one press account, there is a direct reference to Andrew Carnegie, McGarry said.
Carnegie's "The Gospel of Wealth" can be described as a blueprint of what a person should do with his fortune. Among Carnegie's suggestions are Hackley's well-known philanthropies: a school, a hospital, a library, a park and statues.
Carnegie also urged maintaining a high-class home to "serve as inspiration," according to McGarry.
"It is almost as though Hackley went through the book with a checklist," McGarry said.
The development of Hackley Hospital directly follows the Carnegie plan, according to Lisa Barker, site curator at the Muskegon County Museum, who is developing an exhibit on the hospital.
After announcing his gift for the creation of a hospital, Hackley appointed a group to research the hospital's construction. He then named First Congregational Church as trustees to oversee the hospital, a move that may have surprised some because Hackley was not considered a religious man. His wife, Julia Hackley, belonged to the Congregational Church.
"He didn't belong to any church, but gave to all churches," Barker said.
The Rev. Archibald Hadden, pastor of First Congregational Church, also was involved in other Hackley philanthropies, according to Barker.
"There was clearly some level of trust and respect there," McGarry said.
After Hackley Hospital was formally dedicated Nov. 17, 1904, the lead editorial in The Chronicle called attention to Hackley's generosity. The newspaper lauded Hackley for not waiting until his death to "do good with your wealth."
The Chronicle proclaimed that Hackley "...put a new face on Muskegon and so has saved it. You have changed it from a decadent lumbertown, with struggling industries, shabby streets and dispiriting atmosphere, to a bright, ambitious and enterprising city. This you have done not only by your gifts but by your faith in Muskegon, and your courage and energy in helping the business enterprises that are the basis of the new Muskegon."
Reprinted with permission from the Muskegon Chronicle
