Hacking, J. H., Mr.

Death of the Founder of the Free Press.
Mr. J. H. Hacking, the founder of the FREE PRESS, died at the home of his son-in-law, Mr. Henry F. Hill, Buffalo, last Thursday, after a lengthy and painful illness. His ailment was somewhat similar to that of the late Rev. G. B. Cooke and he wrote to the editor of this journal from Winnipeg on the 31st October last, as follows:- "I notice a reference in the last issue of the FREE PRESS to the illness of Rev. Mr. Cooke, in Chicago. Being struck with the similarity to the symptoms in my case, I am curious to learn further particulars as to the treatment he is receiving. Could you favor me with his address? or possibly you are able yourself to supply the desired information. Doctors here seem to be puzzleld." Mr. Hacking was for many years the publisher of the Listowel Banner, which was perhaps his most successful enterprise. He sold the Banner about twenty-two years ago, removed to Guelph and engaged in the publication of the Daily Advertiser, with Mr. R. Elliott, now proprietor of the Wingham Times, as foreman. The competition in Guelph was very keen and events proved that the town could not successfully maintain three dailies. Mr. Hacking then turned his attention to Acton and after consultation with the business men of the place found that a local newspaper would be welcomed and was promised encouraging support. On July 1st, 1875, he issued the first number of the FREE PRESS, which has regularly appeared every week since without interruption. In 1877 Mr. Hacking disposed of his youthful journalistic child to Messrs. Moore & Galbraith and returned to Guelph engaging for some time in the job printing business. Subsequently he went to Clifford and established the Arrow. Shortly after this the activiity in the commercial capital of the North West attracterd his attention and he removed to Winnipeg and secured the position of foreman of the FREE PRESS job department, which situation he filled successfully for some time. For several years his health has been failing and he found the severe winters of Manitoba very trying. Last fall he removed to Buffalo and has since resided there. His first wife died in Winnipeg several years ago. He subsequently married a Miss Allan in that city, who, with three daughters and two sons, survives him. J. H. Hacking was a first-class printer, an upright and conscientious business man, a loving husband and father and a worthy citizen of any community where he resided. His interest in Acton was always manifest and the success of the FREE PRESS throughout its career was a matter of personal gratification to him. His remains were interred in the family plot at Listowel, the home of his early years, on Saturday.