Born in Aurelius, near Auburn, New York, Sackett attended private schools and Aurora Academy.

Sackett studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1834 and commenced practice in Seneca Falls.

During the American Civil War his son William H. Sackett (1838–1864) was Colonel and commander of the 9th New York Cavalry.

He died in Saratoga Springs on September 6, 1895, and was interred in that town's Greenridge Cemetery.

This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress