Biography - John A. Tackett
JOHN A. TACKETT. Among the citizens of this county who are most active
in promoting its interests are many who were born within its borders, grew
with its growth, and since attaining manhood have been potent in increasing
its wealth and importance as an agricultural, commercial and manufacturing
center, so that to-day it ranks as one of the first counties in Central
Illinois in those respects. John A. Tackett, capitalist, is a representative
of the class alluded to. He has been a life-long resident of Shelbyville,
where his birth occurred September 28, 1832, and for many years he has been
prominently associated with the best interests of city and county, using his
wealth freely to advance various enterprises that have contributed to their
development. He is largely interested in farming and also does a general
brokerage business, and all that he undertakes he brings to a successful
issue.
He is a son of John Tackett, one of the first settlers of Shelbyville, who
was one of the leading pioneers of this part of the country until death
deprived his co-workers of his aid in the upbuilding of this section in
1850. He was a native of Prince William County, Va., where he grew to man's
estate and married Enfield Mason, a native of Fauquier County, Va., who died
at Shelbyville in 1837. Three of their five children were reared: Charles,
who died at Shelbyville; William J., a well-known resident of Shelbyville;
and John A. of whom this sketch is written. After marriage the father of our
subject sought the forest wilds of Kentucky but did not make a permanent
home there, as he was attracted to Illinois in 1829, foreseeing that men of
his calibre could expend their energies to a good advantage in a country of
such splendid but untried resources. He journeyed hither with teams,
bringing his household goods and being accompanied by his wife and the two
children that then composed their family. He was among the first to settle
on the present site of Shelbyville, where he found but little in the group
of small log houses to indicate that the little hamlet was the nucleus of a
flourishing and busy town such as is known by those of a later generation.
Mr. Tackett built a hewed log house, which he opened as an inn for the
benefit of travelers passing through the town or coming in search of
suitable locations, or for other business and it became widely known by the
traveling public as "Tackett's Hotel," and its comforts were duly
appreciated. There were no railroads here for years after he opened his
hotel and all travel was by stage. He added to his buildings, greatly
improved his property and continued to keep hotel until his death. He had an
extensive acquaintance, was popular and well liked, always friendly and
obliging in his relations with all with whom he came in contact, and he was
greatly missed in the community.
Our subject having been born in the early days of the settlement of this
county, has been a witness of almost its entire growth, and it may well be
his pride that he has contributed to its rise and progress since he arrived
at the years of discretion. He has a clear and comprehensive knowledge of
agriculture and he is superintending his extensive farming interests with
marked ability, while at the same time he is conducting a lucrative business
as a broker, and from both sources derives a large income, he is one of the
wealthy men of his native county and his fellow-citizens always find him
ready to co-operate with them in whatever will benefit the public. His name
stands high in financial circles, as his integrity in money matters is
unimpeachable and he manages his business after sound methods. His personal
character is such as in gain him warm esteem among his neighbors and many
acquaintances. Socially his relations are with Okaw Lodge, No. 117, I. O. O.
F. Mr. Tackett was happily married in 1880 to Miss Flora Cash, who presides
gracefully over their attractive home and cordially unites with him in
entertaining with pleasant hospitality any of their friends that may happen
to enter its doors. They have one daughter whom they have named Irma
Enfield.
Mrs. Tackett is a native of Westfield, Clark County, Ill., and is a daughter
of Henry H. Cash, one of the well-known citizens of that town. Her father
was born in Amherst County, Va., and was a son of Reuben Cash, who was a
life-long resident of the Old Dominion. Mrs. Tackett's father went from his
native State to Kentucky when he was twenty-six years old, and from there
came to Clark County, this State, four years later. He settled in Westfield,
and in time became one of its leading merchants. He carried on business a
number of years, but now lives retired in that town. He married Rebecca
Evinger, a native of Kentucky, and they have reared five children, — Watson
G., Flora N., Rose M., George A. and Henry E.
Mrs. Tackett's grandfather Evinger was born, reared and married in Kentucky,
he being a son of one of the early pioneer families of that State. He in
turn became a pioneer, coming to Illinois and casting in his lot with the
early settlers of Clark County. He became one of its most prominent
citizens, and to him belongs the honor of having platted and named the town
of Westfield. He erected a set of mills, including grist and carding mills
there, but after a few years they were burned and from that time be lived
retired from active business until his death at the venerable age of
ninety-one years. The maiden name of his wife was Margaret Seabolt. She was
a native of Virginia, and went from there to Kentucky with her parents. She
came to this State with her husband, and died at Westfield, at the ripe age
of eighty-four years.
Extracted 09 Apr 2018 by Norma Hass from 1891 Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties Illinois, pages 494-495.
