William C. Hackett, BiographyPorter County biographical sketches . . . .
Transcribed biography of William C. Hackett
WILLIAM C. HACKETT. One of the finest and most highly improved farms in this section of Indiana is the Hackett homestead, now owned and cultivated by William C. Hackett, who was born on the place September 7, 1867. This farm was originally purchased by Mr. Hackett's father, S. C. Hackett, who was born in Ohio but who was identified with the upbuilding and development of this section of Indiana for the greater portion of his mature years.
S. C. Hackett first saw light of day on March 1, 1829, at Seneca, Ohio, where he was born, the oldest of a family of three children, to Henry and Sarah (Cotton) Hackett, who removed from New York to Ohio in 1825. Henry Hackett was a native of Vermont, while his wife was born in New York, February 28, 1809. The father died in 1834, at Seneca, and from that date until he was seventeen years old, the son S. C. continued to make his home with his mother there. At that youthful age the boy started out to carve his own fortune in the world, and obeying the impulse to push out into a newer country to the west he went to Lake county, Illinois, and secured employment in that locality until he reached the age of his majority. The spirit of unrest still moved him, however, and he decided to join a party and cross the plains to California, this being the year 1849, when so much excitement was rife over the discovery of gold in that far-off land. Mr. Hackett reached his destination in safety after the long trip across the plains, and for two years engaged in mining operations in California with moderate success. Western mining life did not wholly satisfy him, however, and he accordingly returned to the middle west, locating this time in LaPorte county, Indiana, but later removing to Porter county, where he resided until his death, which occurred at Valparaiso on September 29, 1904. While living in Porter county Mr. Hackett was variously engaged. For a time he was a lumber dealer and furnished lumber and supplies to the Lake Shore Railroad. In 1868 he became superintendent for Loveland & Company of Janesville, Wisconsin, continuing in that position until 1879, when he purchased the greater part of the land now comprised in the Hackett farm. He manufactured charcoal while improving his farm, and, it is said, produced more charcoal at that time than any other man in Indiana. He was successful in his business and agricultural operations and at one time was owner of 1,100 acres of land. Wherever he lived he was active in public affairs and wielded a large influence among his fellow citizens. He was at one time a trustee of Pine township and during his residence in Valparaiso for a portion of the time filled the office of alderman of that city. He was a staunch believer in Democratic principles and was an enthusiastic party worker. Fraternally he held membership in Nashville Lodge, No. 192, A. F. & A. M.
S. C. Hackett was married in La Porte, Indiana, January 1, 1855, to Anna J. Weston, who was born in that county September 12, 1836, and is still living, a resident of Valparaiso. Mr. and Mrs. Hackett became the parents of four children, three of whom are living, they being Emma, wife of L. C. Snyder, La Porte county, Indiana; Mina, wife of C.W. Benton, of Valparaiso; and William C. Hackett, whose name heads this sketch.
William C. Hackett was reared on the old farm in Pine township and attended the district schools of that community until his father removed to Valparaiso, when the son was given the educational advantages afforded by that city, including a business course in the University of Valparaiso. When he was twenty-one years old his father returned to the farm, but only remained there three years, at the end of that period returning to Valparaiso and leaving agricultural operations under the direct management of the son, William, who has since conducted the farm with a marked degree of success. On September 7, 1892, Mr. Hackett was united in marriage with Miss Nona Williams, a daughter of John M. and Mariam (Morris) Williams. Mrs. Nona Hackett's mother was a daughter of David P. and Maria (Mann) Morris, all southern people on the maternal side, and her father's progenitors were of English lineage. Mr. Williams was born in Wayne county, Indiana, December 13, 1838, his parents being natives of Tennessee and North Carolina, who came to Porter county, Indiana, in 1845. John M. Williams served in Company K, Seventy-third Regulars, in the Civil war, remaining in service throughout that conflict. After the death of his first wife he married, in 1879, Mary Harold, of Randolph county, Indiana. Mrs. Hackett's mother died March 27, 1873, leaving two children, Charles, whose death occurred some time ago, and Nona, wife of Mr. Hackett. Mr. Williams was a member of Westville Lodge, No. 192, A. F. & A. M. Mr. and Mrs. Hackett have one son, Ross S., born September 7, 1893, who is a student at the La Porte high school, class of 1912. While Mr. Hackett is a liberal and progressive public spirited citizen, and is a believer in Democratic principles, he takes no active part in political affairs. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, at Chesterton, Camp No. 5244, and the Foresters lodge, No. 10, carrying insurance in both organizations.
Source: Lewis Publishing Company. 1912. History of Porter County, Indiana: A Narrative Account of its Historical Progress, its People and its Principal Interests. Chicago, Illinois: Lewis Publishing Company. 881 p.
Page(s) in Source: 830-831
This biography has been transcribed exactly as it was originally published in the source. Please note that we do not provide photocopies or digital scans of biographies appearing on this website.
Biography transcribed by Steven R. Shook