Born in Fürstenau, Bersenbrück Landkreis (now in Osnabrück Landkreis). Bernhard immigrated to the USA in 1866. He married Anna Kuehl on May 8, 1870 in Porter County. She died in 1875, the year of the birth of her child. Bernhard then married Mary W. Krieter on October 13, 1875 in Elmhurst, Dupage Co., IL.

Chesterton Tribune
21 Jan 1915 Obituary, page 1, col 4
Barnhard Hoeckelberg, one of Liberty township's early settlers, has passed away. The end came at 6:07 p. m. Sunday at the family home. Eighteen hours before, Mr. Hoeckelberg was apparently enjoying good health. A stroke of paralysis came like a flash from a clear sky and he never rallied from it. The funeral was held Wednesday afternoon from the McCool Lutheran church, and remains laid to rest in the McCool cemetery. The funeral was a large one, and attended by friends and relatives from far and near.

Deceased was born in [Fürstenau] Germany on April 11, 1841, and was aged 73 years, 9 months, and 6 days at the time of his death. He grew up to manhood in the Fatherland, serving there in the army. After his discharge he emigrated to America, and finally located near Crocker, working as a farm hand. This was about 1863. Later he married Anna Kuehl, who died five years afterward. In the meantime Mr. Hoeckelberg had bought a farm, which he kept until his death. He was again married to Mary Krieter, who survives him. To this union were born ten children, six boys and three girls, all of whom are living except the first born. They are Mrs. Lena Shultz [SCHOLZ], San Pierre, Ind., Fred, Medaryville, Ind., Charles, Tolleston, Ind., Henry, Liberty township, Mrs. Hannah TETZLOFF, North Judson, Ind., Barney, Crocker, John, Chicago, Wil, Tolleston, and Mamie, Chicago.

Mr. Hoeckelberg was an industrious, upright man, who had the respect of all who knew him. His loss is regretted by many.

One by one the leaves are falling
From the mighty tree of life;
One by one grim death is calling
Friends and loved ones from our side.

So springtime pays to death its toll,
And summertime its strength,
Autumn its fruits all aglow,
And winter ends all at length.

One more leaf has joined the cluster,
One more home is lone and sad,
For their loved one has left them
For the mansions bright and glad.

His two immigrant brothers were Friedrich Wilhelm Hockelberg (note different spelling) and Johann Heinrich Hoeckelberg