Biographies H-J

(From "A History of the Town of Wellsville, 1795-1963" by Martha Howe; Revised Edition, Christina Case Wightman/Benson Smythe Publishing; Wellsville,NY)

"One of Wellsville's outstanding veterans was Capt. Wheeler Hakes, grandfather of Mrs. Fay Muckey.  He was one of six brothers who fought in the Civil War, two of whom paid the supreme sacrifice and are buried in unknown graves in the South.

Captain Hakes was mustered into U. S. service as captain at Portage, N.Y., on August 16, 1862.  He belonged to the 130th Regiment, Co. E. New York Volunteers, which was later changed to 1st New York Dragoons.  There is a fine, large monument in Letchworth Park erected to the memory of the 1st New York Dragoons.  This company mainly recruited from Allegany and Livingston counties, participated in the Battles of Deserted House and the Siege of Suffolk.  The latter lasted from April 11 to May 4.

Captain Hakes was seriously injured by a shell, confined to a Baltimore hospital for some time, and compelled to resign from service.  Heart disease developed which eventually resulted in his sudden death at the age of forty-nine.  He is buried in Johnson Cemetery in Wellsville.  He was a brave officer, kind to his men, loved and honored by them all.  A favorite in the regiment, he bore honored scars in testimony of a courage that never faltered under fire.  He was commissioned major because of "gallant and meritorious services during the war.  The commission was signed by President Andrew Johnson."


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