Tackett, John

Born: 1788-11-16 Virginia

Died: 1850-01-26 Shelbyville, Illinois

Flourished: Shelby County, Illinois

John Tackett was a hotelier, merchant, and early settler of Shelby County, Illinois. As a young man, Tackett emigrated from his native Virginia to Kentucky, where he lived several years. He married Enfield Mason, with whom he would have three children. In 1829, Tackett and his family moved to Shelby County, Illinois, settling in Shelbyville. Tackett purchased a hotel which he operated for several years. In 1831, Tackett purchased 120 acres of public land near Shelbyville. In March 1833, he received appointment as public administrator of Shelby County. In February 1836, Enfield M. Tackett died, and in March 1842, Tackett married Martha Phillips, with whom he would have two children. In 1839, he acquired thirty-nine acres of public land southwest of Sullivan in Moultrie County. After operating the hotel for seven or eight years, Tackett sold the hotel and entered into partnership in a mercantile establishment. Tiring of this business after a few years, he returned to operating a hotel. In politics, Tackett embraced the Whig Party. In May 1840, he was a delegate to a meeting of the Shelby County Whigs that endorsed William Henry Harrison for president.

Combined History of Shelby and Moultrie Counties, Illinois (Philadelphia: Brink & McDonough, 1881), 44; Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales, Shelby County, 145:24, 25; Moultrie County, 146:79, Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL; Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, Shelby County, 8 March 1842, Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL; Sangamo Journal (Springfield, IL), 9 March 1833, 3:5; 5 June 1840, 3:5; Gravestone, John Tackett, Glenwood Cemetery, Shelbyville, IL; Gravestone, Enfield Mason Tackett, Glenwood Cemetery, Shelbyville, IL.