Seth Hanchett

Seth Hanchett
Sheriff of Cook County
In office 1882–1886
Preceded by	Orrin L. Mann
Succeeded by	Canute R. Matson
Personal details
Born	(1841-03-30)March 30, 1841 Chautauqua County, New York
Died	January 6, 1905(1905-01-06) (aged 63) Rockford, Iowa
Nationality	American
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Lizzie T. Atkins ​ (m. 1867)​
Military service
Allegiance	United States of America Union
Branch/service	United States Army Union Army
Years of service	1861–1862, 1864–1865
Rank	Sergeant
Unit	9th Illinois Cavalry Regiment, 15th New York Volunteer Cavalry Regiment
Battles/wars	American Civil War Valley campaigns of 1864 Battle of Five Forks

Seth Hanchett (March 30, 1841 – January 6, 1905) was a Republican lawman and politician in Chicago who served as the Sheriff of Cook County from 1882 to 1886.

Biography

Born in Chautauqua County, New York in 1841, Hanchett settled in Chicago and entered the employ of the North Chicago City Railway Company in 1860. He enlisted in the 9th Illinois Cavalry Regiment of the Union Army at the outbreak of the American Civil War and was discharged due to illness within a year. Shortly afterward, Hanchett returned to New York and enlisted again. He saw service in the Valley campaigns of 1864 and was severely wounded by artillery fire at the Battle of Five Forks in 1865, resulting in the amputation of his entire left arm at the shoulder.

Upon his return to Chicago after the war, Hanchett was superintendent of the city Soldier's Home and in 1867 was appointed bailiff of the County Court. He maintained his position as bailiff under four successive Cook County Sheriffs until the election of Charles Kern. Hanchett was elected Clerk of the Probate Court in 1877 and in 1882 was the Republican nominee for Sheriff, the office of which he won in a heated election. He served as Sheriff of Cook County until 1886. Hanchett died in Rockford, Iowa in 1905.