Isaac Hockenhull: The Chemist and First Husband of Gospel Legend Mahalia Jackson
Isaac Hockenhull was an African-American chemist and entrepreneur, best known as the first husband of the legendary gospel singer Mahalia Jackson. Their marriage, which lasted from 1936 to 1941, was marked by professional conflicts and personal struggles, yet Hockenhull's own life story reveals a man of education and ambition beyond the headlines.
Early Life and Education
Born on November 15, 1901, in Como, Panola County, Mississippi, Isaac Lane Gray Hockenhull was the son of John Hockenhull and Martha "Mattie" Ella Danner. His mother was a successful beautician and businesswoman who operated her own beauty shop and correspondence school, setting an early example of entrepreneurship in the family.
Hockenhull pursued higher education at prestigious institutions, graduating from Fisk University and the Tuskegee Institute. This academic background laid the foundation for his future career in chemistry and business.
Career as a Chemist and Entrepreneur
After completing his studies, Hockenhull worked as a chemist, applying his scientific knowledge to his mother's beauty business. He was instrumental in formulating hair care products and solutions for her beauty parlour and correspondence school, showcasing his practical skills in the industry.
During the economic hardships of the Great Depression, Hockenhull took on additional work as a postman for the United States Postal Service in Chicago, demonstrating resilience and adaptability in challenging times.
Marriage to Mahalia Jackson
In 1936, Hockenhull married Mahalia Jackson, who was ten years his junior. Initially, he acted as her manager, involved in the business side of her early recording career. However, their professional relationship became a source of conflict.
Hockenhull famously pressured Jackson to transition into secular music, believing it would be more financially lucrative than gospel. Jackson, committed to her faith and artistic integrity, refused, vowing to sing only gospel music throughout her life.
Their marriage was further strained by Hockenhull's struggle with a gambling addiction, particularly betting on racehorses, which caused financial problems and added stress to their relationship. After five years of marriage, they divorced in 1941.
Life After Divorce and Legacy
Following the divorce, Hockenhull lived a private life in Harvey, Illinois. He did not remarry and had no children from his marriage to Jackson. He passed away on July 15, 1973, at the age of 71, just over a year after Mahalia Jackson's death in January 1972 from heart disease and related complications.
Jackson went on to achieve international acclaim as the "Queen of Gospel," marrying Sigmund Galloway in 1964, though that marriage also ended in divorce in 1967. Hockenhull was buried at Washington Memory Gardens, while Jackson was laid to rest at Providence Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Metairie, Louisiana.
Key Facts About Isaac Hockenhull
- Full Name: Isaac Lane Gray "Ike" Hockenhull
- Birth: November 15, 1901, in Como, Mississippi
- Death: July 15, 1973, in Harvey, Illinois, at age 71
- Education: Graduated from Fisk University and Tuskegee Institute
- Career: Chemist, entrepreneur, and postman during the Great Depression
- Marriage: Married Mahalia Jackson from 1936 to 1941; no children
- Parents: John Hockenhull and Martha Ella Danner
Isaac Hockenhull's story is one of a well-educated professional whose life became intertwined with that of a music icon. While his marriage to Mahalia Jackson was brief and fraught with challenges, his contributions as a chemist and his role in her early career highlight a multifaceted individual beyond his association with the gospel legend.
