John Hackett, son-in-law of Beloit’s founder Caleb Blodgett, settled here with the Blodgett family in 1836. He arrived here broke and $2,000 in debt.

By disposing of logs floated down the Rock River, he made enough money with which to open a store on the southwest corner of State and Grand. Then he bought several hundred acres of land on the west side of the river from Chicago’s Mayor William B Ogden, which he converted into farm land and subdivision for homes.

Mr. Hackettt became Beloit’s first postmaster, built a flour mill and owned an interest in both Beloit paper mills. He built his home on the present site of the High School Apartments. At age 40 he learned to read and speak French and he maintained a 1,300 book library. He represented Beloit in the State Constitutional assembly and later was elected assemblyman. He was elected Mayor Beloit and had both a school and a street names in his honor.