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Elisha L. Hackett

Elisha L. Hackett, deceased, was one of the leading farmers in the county, and his family was well and widely known in the community. He was born in Colerain, Mass., March 21, 1810, and was a son of Asa Hackett, who with his family emigrated from the Bay State to Pennsylvania in 1814. He was a farmer by occupation and in his native State was twice married. By his first wife he had five daughters and by his second wife, whose maiden name was Keziah Thomas and who was a native of Massachusetts, he had two sons. On coming to Pennsylvania he settled in East Smithfield, Bradford County, where both he and his wife spent their last days. He took an active part in church work, was a Baptist in religious belief and was everywhere known as Deacon Hackett, having filled the office of Deacon for many years. In politics he was a supporter of Whig principles. His children were Eliza, who became the wife of Jared Phelps and died near the old homestead in Pennsylvania; Mrs. Lucy Wood, who died in the Keystone State; Mrs. Abigail Phelps, also deceased; Mrs. Sallie Wood, who died in Pennsylvania; Ruth, who died at the age of eighteen years; Peleg and Elisha.

The latter was four years of age at the time of the emigration of the family to Pennsylvania. He was educated in the common schools and reared upon the homestead farm, of which he took charge on the death of the father. In 1831 he married Miss Polly Phelps, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1812. For a number of years they resided in that State and in 1852 came to Iowa, locating upon a farm in Union Township, where his daughters still make their home. He purchased three hundred and sixty acres of land, the greater part of which was in its primitive condition, only eleven acres having been placed under the plow. As it was almost impossible to obtain lumber to build he purchased a farm on which had already been erected a dwelling. The nearest market in those days was McGregor, the roads were poor and it was often a task to go for provisions. Upon the farm where he located, Mr. Hackett made his home until his death which occurred in 1873. His wife survived him seven years and was then laid to rest by his side in West Union Cemetery. The children constituting their family are Mary, who lives on the old homestead; Perley in Dakota; Lucy, wife of J. F. Smith, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume; and Celestia.

In early life Mr. Hackett was a member of the Baptist Church but later both he and his wife became members of the Christian Church. He gave his support to the Whig party in the early years of his manhood and then cast his ballot with the Republican party. He was a valued citizen and an honored pioneer and took an active part in the development of the country.