Samuel Siegfried Hecksher, a young naval officer, founded the firm of S Hecksher on 2 June 1797 after his appointment as Royal Shipbroker in Copenhagen. Through diligence and competence, he quickly established a strong position in maritime circles.

During the wars with England in 1807-14 Denmark led an effective privateering campaign against the British shipping trade. With gunboats and a letter of marque. Hecksher was actively involved in seizing enemy vessels. Through his firm he organized auctions of the valuables seized and also contributed significantly to raising funds for the construction and fitting-out of gunboats.
He was awarded the Cross of the Order of the Dannebrog for outstanding service.

After his death in 1843 Samuel Hecksher was succeeded by his sons Ludvig Adolph and Moritz Gustav Hecksher. Under their management the firm expanded considerably and soon became the largest of its kind in Denmark. It was therefore no surprise that the Danish government entrusted the firm with special assignments chief amongst which was the transport of troops and equipment to southern Jutland during the Schleswig Wars in 1848-50 and again in 1864.