Harrison Hackett, one of the early settlers of Ida County, Iowa, was born in Orange County, Vermont, May 6, 1832. He was the son of Emery and Amanda (Hines) Hackett, both natives of Vermont, with the ancestors coming to this country from England generations ago.
Harrison’s brothers and sisters were: Homer, Hellen, Henry, Angeline, Louisa, Edna, Arabell, John, Harriett, Clifton, Charley, and Augusta. Four of the brothers were in the Civil War. Harrison enlisted in June 1864 in Company G, Third Minnesota Infantry, and was mustered out in the fall of 1865 at Fort Snelling, Minnesota.
When Harrison was 14 years old, he entered the employ of the Vermont Central Railroad Co., first in the shops at Northfield, Vt., afterward fired on an engine, and later had charge of one. After 6 years with the railroad company, he purchased some wild woodland in Minnesota, and developed a farm.
He married in October 1852 to Almina Hatch, daughter of Henry and Nancy (Rollins) Hatch, of Vermont. They had 2 children: Alma and Augusta. He wife died February 1888.
In 1876, he came to Ida County and purchased 320 acres of wild prairie land in Section 34, Silver Creek Township. He piled his furniture out on the prairie until he had his house erected. He built a frame house and began cultivating his land, making a specialty of corn. He fed a large amount of stock, cattle and hogs. He purchased more land, and in 1888 he bought a home in Ida Grove at the corner of 5th and Burns Streets.
In March, 1889, Mr. Hackett married Elizabeth Howser. She had 4 children by her former marriage: Cora M., Carrie M. (a teacher in Ida County), Chester M., and C. Maud. He was a member of the G.A.R., Matthew Gray Post No. 93