John Gideon Haskell was born February 5, 1832 at Milton (Chittendon County), Vermont to Franklin and Almira Chase Haskell. Following formal study in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Haskell commenced work as an architect in 1855 at Boston. Upon the 1857 death of his father--who was by then a resident of Kansas Territory--Haskell moved to the territory to assist his mother. He married Mary Elizabeth Bliss of Wilbraham, Massachusetts on December 22, 1859.

In Kansas, Haskell gained eminence as both a soldier and architect. During the Civil War, he became chief quartermaster of the Army of the Frontier. He later served as Quartermaster General of the State of Kansas, and in 1866 was named architect of the state house. He built its east wing, and as state architect subsequently constructed much of the capitol building. Other Kansas buildings designed or built by him included the State University, Washburn College, Bethany College, and the Chase County Court House. In 1878, he served as superintendent of construction for the U.S. Courthouse and Postoffice at Topeka. Haskell died in 1907.