HASKETT, E. W. [Edward W.]

HASKETT, LESTER, CURRY

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 4/24/2015 at 08:25:42

Obituary ~ Hon. E. W. [Edward W.] Haskett
October 23, 1848 ~ November 04, 1885

Jackson Sentinel
Maquoketa, Jackson County, Iowa
November 18, 1885

E. W. Haskett, of Leon, Decatur County, ex-United States District Attorney for Alaska, was killed at Needles, California, a few days ago by falling from a train. He was on his way from Alaska, having been removed.

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Sitka, Alaskan Territory
December 19, 1885

The Late Hon. E. W. Haskett The Salem (Iowa) News, published at the former home of the late district attorney of Alaska, has the following in regard to him:

Mr. Haskett, though young, had, by his energy and perseverance in his profession, risen to a position creditable to himself, and that opened up a future for higher honors. He was at one time a resident here, a student at Whittier, and afterwards taught school.

He joined the Congregational church March 29, 1868; studied law in the office of Scott Howell, of Keokuk, Iowa, and was admitted to the bar in 1872.

In 1874 he was married to Miss Jennie Lester, and who, with a little daughter, Hattie, still, survives him.

He was born in Wabash county, Indiana, October 23, 1848.

In 1884 he was appointed by President Arthur U. S. District Attorney of Alaska. The following extract from one of his letters, when just on the eve of leaving Sitka for home, shows the inner workings of his life:

"I expect to take the next steamer for Frisco. As I am on the Pacific Slope now, and can take in the sights without much additional expense, I am of the opinion that I had best do so. I have written James Haskett to look up a location for me in Kansas. If I were alone I should never think of leaving the Pacific coast; but taking into consideration that my parents and Jennie's mother are growing old, and that I might contribute to their happiness in their declining days, I will forfeit my pleasure for their comfort. A life is only a life anyway, and so far as I am concerned, I would as soon see others enjoy life as to enjoy it myself."

Those of us who can remember him can appreciate his benevolence of heart and bear testimony to his sympathetic nature. In private life he was of a genial and sunny temperament, remarkably social, and devotedly attached to his friends, to whom he was ever true. The cloud of mourning so heavily hanging over the home of the deceased, is felt throughout the entire community, and an outflow of sympathy is manifested toward the bereaved ones, such as this community has not felt in many days.

The Masonic and I.O.O.F. lodges turned out to his funeral, and after exercises at the residence, conducted by Rev. D. D. Tibbits, Mr. Curry, of Leon, reading an obituary notice from a Leon paper, the large procession proceeded to the grave. The two orders united in conducting the exercises, in accordance with the wish of the deceased, and in response to the desire of lodges at his former home.

[Interment was made at Salem East Cemetery, Salem, Henry County, Iowa.]

Transcriptions by Sharon R. Becker, April of 2015