The New York herald., 1879-12-27
OBIT u A r Y
JOHN KrrELrAs HAcKErr.

John K Hackett Recorder of the city and
county of New York, died in his residence. No. II
Park avenue yesterday afternoon. at one O'Clock.
His wife and daughter stood by the bedside he
breathed his last. and news of the event was soon
after sent to his friends He had not spoken since
the day before and passed away painIessly and
quietly. For some time past he had been suffering
from bronchitis. which turned into dropsy.
aud the latter malady finally caused his
death. While ailing for months he had been
confined to his house only for couple
of weeks but during that time he had suffered in
tenseiy. DR.. Marcy. or Fifth avenue. who has been
In attendance the late Judge arrived at the house
almost Immediately after the Recorder died. He
turned his attention to the widow. who was much
worn and fatigued with watching. DR.. Marcy said
to a reporter of the HERALD who called :-"The late
Recorder went out fishing about three months ago
and got wet. He had always suffered little
from bronchial troubles. but the wetting he
received on that occasion brought on bron-
chitis and 1t remained with him moro or
less ever since. He had not been able to
attend his Official duties for quite while, being
much in need of rest and care. While his mind WAS
vigorous and clear his body troubled with
several Diseases and he gradually faded out Since
he in Paris with me year ago last summer he
had been but little on the bench. but that was not
because of any mental infrmity only on account OF
the sickness. He had an affection Of the heart
In addition to the bronchial and chest annoy
He bore his suHerings manfully and
struggled with all his might to the last. think
Mrs. Hackett was the last person he spoke to. l
went to him yesterday and he then very feeble.
He was quite conscious and knew all about what we
were trying to do for his relief. but he could not
then speak. He always very sensitive man.
the most sensitive 1 ever knew. and when anything
annoyed him his face flushed and he started sud-
denly to punish the offender. 1t was all over in a
moment but while it lasted it never couded the
clearness of his intellect His mind was as
clear and sound q bell. had many opportuni-
ties of seeing it in operation. and his judgment aud
knowledge were always marvels to Of sound
reason and knowledge ana insight into human
nature He very quick. almost up to the last.
and could anticipate what was coming before half
the explanation instruction was out Large as
semblages inconvenienced him and made him i'll
Mt If, before his last illness. he jostled
or run against. he apt to think it had been
done purpose, and then the blood would rush
to his head and the whole man changed. He had oc-
casional terms Of depression. but they quickly
passed away. When saw him in his own house he
was always delightful. One could not meet u more
hospitable or charming host. He came to me while
in Paris the summer before last. and we spent
good deal Of time together. He was there con-
suited by friends some highly important busi-
ness and the opinions h. gave saved their estates.
and were as sound in law as they were admirable in
judgment. Every point was discussed in FULL and in
the proper place the climax led up to with
ingenuity, skill and ability. His constitutional
peculiarities undoubtedly often gave rise to much
discussion. but there was never anything like mental
lnfrnity about him. One day he was walking with
me in the Place Vendome and man trodGpn his
heels from behind. Instantly the flush came upon
his face and he turned to punish the offender but
reminded him quietly that fine and Imprisonment
followed assault in France and he laughed and said
THANK you. Doc 1t was all over in q moment.
Something of this kind happened with a
being and take the repose his body
demanded. He took my advice and has not since
the house recently. He frequently got up. though.
ana moved about the house. He was much swollen.
particularly about the legs and stomach. but he
used to sit iu the front room up stairs. and read
and enjoy the sum-.
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
John Keteltas Hackett descended his
fathers side from ancient and honorable Irish
family, and such was the rightful heir the
titles and honors of Baron Hackett of Hacketts-
town. county Carlow and Shelton Abbey, county
Wicklow. Ireland" This family is one Of the best
in the Emerald Isle. and was founded by of the
L.. and whose name appears heading the
Conqueror's roll of his six and thirty generals
pillar erected at Battle Abbey. near Hastings.
England The family records tell us that one OF the
descendants of this distinguished warrior accompa-
MED Henry ii. in his famous Irish expedition, and
by his brave services obtained the grant of vast
tates. upon which he founded the branch of the
Hackett family from which the subject of sketch
the representative. But John X. Hackett never
assumed or aspired to the title of "baron." being
content to remain q simple American citizen his
birthright. His father James Henry Hackett, the
distinguished and celebrated actor. whose Fastat
and Monsieur Mallet remain cherished ira
ditions of the American stage was frequently styled
"Baron Hackett," and he grew fond Of the
title as he grew older. though himself of American
BIRTH When the elder Hackett visited Great Britain
professionally the second time he visited the home
OF his ancestors and received by the pcasantry
with all the honors due his rank as baron This IN
cdent formed one of the most pleasing recollectons
the old gentleman and he fond in after life of
describing the scenes then witnessed. Though
New Yorker, born and bred. ''Falstaf Hackett pre-
ferred Jamaica, L. l., residence This due
to the fact that it the home of his maternal
cestors. Among the old Jamaica families the
OF keteltas is prominent one, and it was the
daughter Of Rev. Abraham Ketetas who mar
ried the father OF the famous actor. He
Prince of Orange and to this coun-
try shortly after the Revolutionary War had
ended This British officer was the grandfather of
the late kecorder. and his second name is derived
from his grandmother's family. The elder Hackett
married Miss katherine Lee sngg an actress OF great
excellent English family. was highly educated. Of
sprightly manner and, with irresistible fascina-
ton and magnetism OF demeanor, became "the very
Hebe OF actresses" as n contemporaneous critic de-
scribed her. From this union sprang the subject of
SKETCH having ia his veins the blood OF least
three distinguished families, often in
this country. Mr.. Hacketts father the personal
friend of Louis Napoleon during his exile in America
and lie also became intimate with President Lincoln
and other prominent men of his time.
John Keteltas was born in the village OF Jamaica in
education at the academy located in his native town.
IL does not appear that he entered college. for
his family removed to Utica during his boy hood.
Here he remained until of age aud studied law in the
Office of Joshua Spencer. having for fellow students
Senator Francis Herman and John +. Seymour.
brother of Ex-Governor Seymour. SO industrious
was be in his legal studies that he passed success
tul examination and was admitted to practice in the
year 1874. at the age of twenty-five years.
lie remained at Utica for nearly three
years. when he returned to New York
with his father whose mercantile venture
had proved disastrous and compelled him again to
don the sock and buskin to retrieve his shattered
fortunes Young John X. Hackctt practised in the
city courts with tolerable success, though pitted
against some formidable rivals. In l5i9 the Cali
forna gold fever swept over the country, and
the Pacific coast promised grand opening for
young men of energy and talent he decided to follow
the tide of ntinenal migration. On reaching
San Francisco he found himself surrounded by
host of New York friends, among them being David
Droderck, old New York volunteer fireman;
senator Casserly and Governor "Sam" Purdy. Mr..
Hackett formed law partnership with Mr.. Cass-
erly. Broderick became State Senator. and
politics high during the campaigns freque and