Born in Huntington County, Pennsylvania, and died at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Clara Martson, of New York City, on the 25th of July, 1883, in the seventy fifth year of his age. He early acquired large landed interests in Muscatine and during his residency continued to be the largest proprietor in real estate. The first business in pork packing was by Isett & Blaydes in 1844. In the spring of 1855 the banking concern of Isett & Brewster commenced business and continued ten years, when Colonel Isett removed to New York and became the head of the banking house of Isett, Kerr & Company. When he removed to New York from Muscatine he was estimated to be worth at least $200,000. Through speculation in Wall Street his effects dwindled to almost nothing.