Colonel Francis Lackner,
lawyer and native of Detroit, but during his childhood a resident of Milwaukee,
and then for fifty-six years of Chicago, the late Colonel Lackner spent
the last eight years of his long and successful and useful life in well-merited
retirement in South Pasadena, California.
During the unusually
long period of his law practice in Chicago he not only became one of the
city's leading attorneys. but also made many important contributions to
its development, seeing it grow from a small city to its present eminent
position and materially helping in brining about this remarkable growth.
A veteran of the Civil War he served in that conflict with a Wisconsin
regiment with such distinction that he rose from private to the rank of
lieutenant colonel. During his legal career, too, numerous honors were
conferred upon him proving clearly how eminent his services were considered
by his fellow citizens and how highly they regarded him.
Francis Lackner was born
in Detroit, Michigan in 1840, the son of Francis and Rosalia (Ruegenberg)
Lackner. His parents were natives of Olpe, Westphalia, Germany, from where
they came to this country about 1830, settling in Detroit. Colonel Lackner's
mother died about 10"46 in Milwaukee Wisconsin, to which town the family
had removed soon after Colonel Lackner's birth. Both Detroit and Milwaukee
in those days were small and primitive, and Colonel Lackner, during the
early part of his life, had many experiences typical of pioneer life in
the Middle West. He received his education in Milwaukee in the private
school of Dr. Engelman and then studied law there in the office of Mr.
Merriner, being., admitted to the bar upon reaching 'a his majority, after
having earned his own way from the time he was fourteen years of age. Almost
immediately afterwards, at the beginning of the Civil War, he volunteered
and was made a second-lieutenant of the 26th Wisconsin Infantry. His regiment
participated in the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg.
Colonel Lackner, then
a captain of a company, was wounded at Gettysburg, but was able to return
to his regiment after two months. With others, the latter was transferred
from the East to the vicinity of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and then participated
in the battles of Wauhatchie, Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw
Mountain, Peach Tree Creek and others. Meanwhile, Captain Lackner had been
called to the division staff as inspector, first on the staff of Gen. Schurz
and then on that of General Butterfield. When the regiment reached Atlanta,
Captain Lackner was promoted to Major and returned to it, the regiment
being one of the first to enter Atlanta. Two months later it took part
in Sherman's historic march to the sea, fighting its was to Savannah and
from there through South and North Carolina, when news of General Lee's
surrender was received. The remnant of the regiment, reduced losses to
only about three hundred and sixty men, was mustered out, and 'Major Lackner
was brevetted Lieutenant Colonel. Immediately upon his return to civil
life Colonel Lackner settled in Chicago and established himself in the
practice of law. He quickly rose to the head of his profession and became
one of the best known and most successful corporation lawyers of the western
metropolis.
For fifty-six years he
continued in active practice, representing at different times many important
and large business and financial interests. The Chicago Bar Association,
of which as well as of the American Bar Association and of the Chicago
Law Institute he was for many years a member, honored him and itself by
electing him president.
Though not active in
politics Colonel Lackner took a deep and effective interest in the Civic
Committee, which successfully undertook and completed the task of removing
a group of corrupt local politicians from public office. He was a member
of the "Committee on Relief" during the period following the Chicago fire
of 1871 and gave himself to its arduous labors with characteristic zeal
and generosity. Colonel Lackner was also one of the "Committee of Forty"
appointed by the Governor of Illinois to draft the new city charter of
Chicago.
In 1920 Colonel Lackner,
then eighty years old, retired from his practice and removed to California,
where he settled at South Pasadena, having purchased there an attractive
residence at no. 1001 Buena Vista Street, known as the Lucretia Garfield
residence. While a resident of Chicago he was a member of the city's Union
League Club and of the University Club, was one of the charter members
of the Turn Verein and at one time president of the national body of this
organization.
Colonel Lackner married
in the spring of 1872, Nannie Jussen of Columbus, Wisconsin, daughter of
the late Colonel Edmund and Nancy (Smith) Jussen. Colonel and Mrs. Lackner
were the parents of five children:
Mrs. Franklin Nichols Corbin (Meta) of Chicago
Mrs. George R. Reinecke (Else) of South Pasadena
Mrs. John Harris Booge (Irma) of San Pedro, California
Francis A. Lackner of Winnetka, Illinois
Mrs. Charles S. Kennedy (Beatrice) of Winnetka, Illinois
After a brief illness,
Colonel Lackner died in his eighty-eighth year at the Pasadena Hospital,
Pasadena, California, on December 20th, 1928.
Though his removal from
Chicago to California naturally resulted in the breaking of many close
ties formed during his long residence in the former city, news of his death
brought keen regret to many of his friends who had had opportunities to
become acquainted with his many fine qualities of the mind and heart.
These latter also quickly
gained him the liking and respect of a new group of friends in his new
home, and these too sincerely shared with his family their grief at his
passing.
An able lawyer of high
principles, a patriot who promptly placed his life at the service of his
country, an upright, courageous gentleman, he will long be remembered for
the prominent part which he played during important periods in this country’s
history and for the fine and inspiring life that he led.
RG98S-CWP82.110
A bust view of Maj. Francis Lackner, 26th Regt., Wisc. Vol.
CIVIL WAR
WISCONSIN
INFANTRY
FRANCIS
26TH RET.
LACKNER
U. S. Army Military History Institute, Carlisle Pa. 17013
Biography by Betsy Morehouse
Brief History of the 26th Wisconsin by Francis Lackner
Toward a History of the Twenty-sixth by Francis Lackner
