HACKETT, DANIEL J. - Recent mine accidents in Illinois and elsewhere have demonstrated the fact that there is a fascination in the work of the miner that attracts men, clearly outside of any mercenary reason. Men who have escaped death or injury by the slightest of margins will gladly return to their positions the moment they can, and the average miner does not retired from the work until he has accumulated a comfortable competency or until old age has incapacitated him for further duty. Daniel J. Hackett, who retired but a few years ago, was a miner during all of his active career, and followed his calling in a number of States in the Union. He was born on a farm near Clonmell, County Tipperary, Ireland, March 17, 1848, the youngest of the seven children of John and Margaret (Carey) Hackett, both of whom died on the Emerald Isle.

Mr. Hackett attended the schools of his native place, and on reaching the age of sixteen years embarked for the United States. On his arrival he joined his sisters in Schuylkill County, Pa., and during the following year left for the West, locating first in Iowa and working in the mines at Fort Dodge and in Boone County. His wife joined him in Iowa, and in Oct., 1879, they went to Equality, Ill., where one year was spent, then removed to Springfield, where they have since made their home. Mr. Hackett retired from mining in 1902 and since then has been living a quiet life at his comfortable residence at No. 1629 North Eighth Street.

On September 13, 1875, Mr. Hackett was united in marriage with Catherine Fall, who was also a native of Clonmell, County Tipperary, Ireland, where she was born March 17, 1856, a daughter of Richard and Mary (Travers) Fall, the former of whom died in Ireland and the latter in New York City. Mrs. Hackett came to the United States with her mother and a sister, and after landing at New York City, the little party went direct to Mahonoy City, Pa., where numerous of their relatives had already arrived. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hackett, namely: Margaret, Mrs. John McNamara of Springfield; John J., also of this city; Thomas Richard, who died at the age of twenty-seven years; Nicholas and James, residing at home with their parents; Mary Ellen, who married Charles C. Carter, of Springfield; and Elizabeth May, Catherine and Daniel Joseph, all at home.

The family are consistent members of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Hackett is a stanch Democrat in his political beliefs and has always been ready to defend the principles of his party. He has spent a long and useful life and is now enjoying the fruits of his years of labor. He has been a member of the Western Catholic Union twenty-five years and is a charter member of the Catholic Order of Foresters. He also belongs to the United American Society and has been a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians for forty years.