He was the namesake of the Hatch Act of 1887, which established state agricultural experiment stations for the land-grant colleges.

[3] Hatch moved to Hannibal, Missouri, in 1856 and opened a law office with a partner named Campbell.

[1][2] Hatch raised cattle, horses and hogs at Strawberry Hill, west of Hannibal.

[3] Hatch died of Bright's disease near Hannibal, Missouri, on December 23, 1896,[1][2][3] and was interred in Mount Olivet Cemetery.

In his hometown of Hannibal, Missouri, a bronze statue was erected in his name in 1914, nearly 20 years after his death, which stands in the center of that town today.