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Thomas B. was born in Belmont county, Ohio, on September 12, 1835, being the son of David and Catherine (Perkins) Heskett, natives respectively of Virginia and Delaware. The father was a cooper and carpenter but in the later years of his life he was exclusively engaged in farming, owning two hundred and fifty acres of land. The father died in 1859 and the mother in 1884. Our subject was educated in the primary courses in the district schools of his native place and then took a course in the Belmont Classical Institute at Barnesville, in Belmont county. Following this he taught school and when he was twenty-one years of age, migrated to Iowa, where he continued in the educator's work for two terms, then took up a quarter section and engaged in producing the fruits of the field for four years. In 1862, he was stirred by the reports from the regions of the west to come hither, and accordingly he fitted out ox and horse teams and made the weary journey across the plains, enduring the hardships and dangers incident of that trip, that he might take part in the settlement of the remote portions of the country and make them the abodes of civilization and fit for the dwellings of man. While he intended to settle in Washington, still the resources and advantages of the Grande Ronde valley led him to abandon that plan and to settle on a pre-emption near where he is now living. One year he remained on that place and then took the present place two and one half miles northwest from Alicel. To the quarter section first taken he added by purchase one-half section more all good land. From that time until the day of his death, he was always laboring faithfully for the advancement of the interests of the county at large, steadily pursued the occupations of his choice and was attended with unexcelled prosperity, while he stood one of the prominent citizens of Union county, having always been found in the harness pulling for its good. His farm is a sample of genuine thrift and skillfull husbandry, being all well tilled, raising grain mostly. He also handled many hogs.

The marriage of Mr. Heskett and Miss Susan A., daughter of Henry and Sophia McKendree, natives of Virginia, was solemnized in Ohio, on April 9, 1858, and they became the parents of six children: Mary O., wife of Ben Rosencranz; Frank W., in Wallowa; Ida M., wife of Harden Wether; Vesta I., wife of John Shaw; Robert E. in Wallowa; Jessie B., wife of Thomas Bergen. Mrs. Heskett was called from her family and the walks of life by death in 1870 and her demise was a time of sincere mourning. Mr. Heskett always took much interest in politics, ever laboring for the welfare of all and the best interests of the county. He was the first elected assessor of the county, taking his place in 1867. His wisdom often assisted in the school matters, he being frequently called to the office of director. During the years of 1867-68, Mr. Heskett was interested in mining in the El Dorado camps twenty-five miles east from Auburn. During the long years of his residence in our county Mr. Heskett ever demonstrated himself to be actuated by a broad public spirit, displaying stanch qualities that assisted much in making the county what it is today, and he held a secure place in the esteem and respect of all who may have had the pleasure of his acquaintance.

While Mr. Heskett was ever ready to go, still the summons as is so often the case, came suddenly, and he flew to join his beloved companion gone before. On the twenty-fifth day of April, 1902, Mr. Heskett was working his team in the field. He discovered, as is supposed, that a gate needed fixing and he brought the team to the barn and took a saw and went to repair the gate in question. It was doubtless about noon. The day was Thursday, and he was aged sixty-six years, five months, and fifteen days. He fell from heart disease when fixing the gate and was found later. He left about fifteen thousand dollars worth of property. Mr. Heskett was beloved by all and he was sincerely mourned in his death. He has left a good record, was an honorable and upright man, and has gone to his rest.