Leonard, Joseph A. History of Olmsted County, Minnesota

History of Olmsted County, Minnesota

p 569–570

Robert N. Sackett is the worthy representative of an old pioneer family of this country and is a resident of Pleasant Grove township. He was born in Wisconsin in 1859, his parents being N.B. and Agnes Sackett, the father being a native of New York, where his birth occurred in 1818. N.B. Sackett spent his boyhood on his father's farm, attending the district schools and assisting at all classes of farm work. His education was somewhat meager, but served his purposes in after life, as his best school was experience. In 1837 he married Olive E. Henry, and to this union the following children were born: Anna E., Martin M., Henry P. and Sarah L. His first wife dying November 29, 1845, he chose for his second wife Miss Agnes Young, to whom he was married March 2, 1846. This marriage was blessed with the following children: Solomon, Cyrus, James, William, Ellen and Robert N., the subject of this review. The family came West and for a time lived in Wisconsin, but finally came to Olmsted county in 1861 and bought 160 acres on sections 32 and 33, Pleasant Grove township, and here they lived and labored until the deaths of both parents, N.B. passing away August 13, 1886, and his wife February 6, 1882. They were most exemplary people, and their lives were spent in industry, sociability and honor. The father was one of the most prominent citizens and occupied various positions with fidelity and credit. Their son, Robert N., the subject of this sketch, was reared to manhood on the old homestead in this county and received a common-school education. He learned the art of agriculture by hard work in his early years and this has since been his occupation. He remained on the place until the death of his mother in 1882 and in the meantime had accumulated some means of his own with which to face the struggle of life. He finally married Annetta Hopkins, whose parents, C.M. and S.L. Hopkins, were prominent pioneer settlers of Olmsted county, coming here at an early day from Canada and Ohio. They are yet living in Rochester, enjoying that rest and quiet so relished by elderly people. Robert N. and wife are parents of the following children: Robert A., Homer D., N.B., Clara A., Nellie M., Effie L., Lester E., Leslie C. and Mary A. After their marriage, Robert N. and wife continued in charge of the old homestead until 1886, when they bought 160 acres, being the old homestead in section 32, Pleasant Grove township, where they have ever since resided. They now have a well improved farm, equipped with substantial buildings and surrounded by a beautiful grove. It is one of the pleasant homes of the county, because the surroundings are beautiful and comfortable and the house is filled with refined and educated people. In addition to the above mentioned farm, they own a tract of fifteen acres of timberland, and stock in the Farmer's Elevator. Mr. Sackett is a member of the Methodist church, as also is his wife. He is a trustee and she is active in Sunday-school work. He is a member of the A.O.U.W., and is identified with the Prohibition party. He is broad-gauged, public-spirited, and takes pride in giving his children good educations and in seeing them get properly started in life.