Cased ambrotype image of a young Susie T. Smith (born May 29, 1862) on her mother's knee, approximately 6.5x5.5 cm in case approximately 9.5x8 cm. Accompanied by a daguerreotype portrait of Charles C. Hackett, oval, approximately 9x7 cm in a case approximately 12x9.5 cm.
The Hackett family was among the early California settlers, having crossed the plains in 1849. Charles Hackett served as city assessor, health officer, and police judge in Napa. Miss Smith was the daughter of pioneer Napa settler Williams Smith.
CHARLES CRANE HACKETT.
Among the early pioneers of California was the Hackett family, the present generation of which is worthily represented by Charles Crane Hackett, one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of Napa, where he is rendering faithful and efficient service as city assessor, health officer and police judge. Mr. Hackett was born in Donneville, Sierra county, California, on the 7th day of November, 1859, and is the son of F. M. and Ellen M. (Merrill) Hackett, both of whom were numbered among the first settlers of California, having crossed the plains in 1849, at which time the former was twenty one years of age and the latter fifteen years old. Their marriage occurred in Sacramento. F. M. Hackett was a dentist by profession and in 1863 he came to Napa, where he practiced until 1874, when he went to San Francisco and followed his profession continuously there up to the time of his death. He was survived about a year by his widow. During the time of his residence in Napa he for several terms served as president of the board of trustees of the town, an office in its way equivalent to that of the present office of mayor.
Charles C. Hackett received a good practical education in the public schools of Napa and then he went to work in a drug store, where he worked about four years. Though but a boy, he was permitted to put up prescriptions and quickly gained a good working knowledge of drugs. Later he engaged in the drug business in Napa, but afterwards quit that and went to work for the Wells-Fargo Express Company at Sacramento, where he remained four years. During the ensuing four years he was employed in the Weinstock & Lulun department store in Sacramento. In the meantime he had learned dentistry and in 1881 he returned to Napa and established himself in the practice of that profession, which he followed here for thirty years. He then went to Alaska, where he spent a year in the interest of a mining company, and on his return to Napa was appointed to the office of city assessor. Later he was also made city health officer and judge of the police court. He has ably and satisfactorily performed the duties of each position and has gained marked prestige throughout the community for his faithfulness to his official duties.
Mr. Hackett married Miss Susie T. Smith, who was born and reared in Napa, the daughter of Williams Smith, who was a pioneer settler in this locality. Mr. Hackett is a republican in his political views and has always been counted upon in his support of all measures for the betterment of Napa along material, civic or moral lines. He is a member of the Napa Parlor of the Native Sons of the Golden West. In every relation of life he has met the test of true citizenship and has risen in the confidence and esteem of the people among whom he has spent the major portion of his life. He is a man of good judgment, nice discrimination and fearless in the performance of his duty.
From:
History of Solano County, California
BY: Marguerite Hune
and Napa County, California
BY: Harry Lawrence Gunn
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Chicago 1926