History of Hardin County, Iowa 1883
Francis Hockett, one of the oldest settlers of Iowa, was born in Randolph county, Indiana, February 2, 1818. His parents were natives of North Carolina, and were pioneers of Ohio and Indiana. Here Mr. Hockett's early life was spent, and he grew to manhood in the same county where he was born. On December 15, 1835, he was married to Miss Rebecca D. Hartley, who was born in Ohio, Secember [sic] 21, 1818. They continued to live in Randolph county until in the spring of 1838, when they removed to Iowa, which was then a Territory, settling in what is now Henry county, near Salem. They afterward settled in the adjoining county of Lee, where they lived until the year 1863, when they removed to Hardin county, first settling in Providence township, and, in 1870, locating in Grant township, on section 12, where they now reside. There has been born to them twelve children, ten of whom are living. The oldest, Norton, of whom mention is made elsewhere, was born October 18, 1836; Calvin W., born May 6, 1841; Eliza A., born May 4, 1843; Barbara L., born April 24, 1845; James, born January 6, 1847; Deborah A., born February 15, 1849; Thomas E., born March 15, 1851; Lydia, born April 7, 1853; Mary Magdalene, born September 4, 1855; Henry M., born February 1, 1859; all but one living at present in Hardin county - Ezra, living in Nebraska; and all married but one - James. Mr. Hockett has always followed farming, and has a farm of 80 acres, with good house and orchard on it, well protected by natural timber, it being nearly all the timber there is in the township. Mr. Hockett and family belong to the Society of Friends. During the early times he was familiar and friends with the Indians, over whom the famous Black Hawk was Chief, and was well acquainted with his son, whom he describes as being a finely-formed, intelligent and interesting man.