Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, Part 3

Author: Floyd, J.L., & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago, J. L. Floyd & Co.
Number of Pages: 1090

USA > Pennsylvania > Northumberland County > Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1 > Part 3

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markable for completeness of detail and exhaustive the acquaintance of Hon. Simon Cameron, and the treatment of all its phases, and was largely respon- friendship then begun between these two strong sible for the rapid development of the mining in- dustry of the State. In fact, his great activity characters lasted through life. Mr. Packer came to Sunbury in 1820 and established the paper, throughout the period of his legislative service was called the Publick Inquirer, issued at that time directed to the encouragement of enterprises for principally to advocate the reelection of Governor the development of the material resources of Penn- Findlay. It was continued for several years. sylvania, the Danville & Pottsville railroad being

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NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

the most important project of this kind in his dis- of the largest land owners in the State of Pennsyl- triet which received his aid and support. Its con- vania. struction from Sunbury to the Shamokin coal field was the direct result of a measure introduced by him into the Senate and passed through the exer- cise of his influence. In 1834 Mr. Packer was the which Northumberland county was included. As

Mr. Packer's public services formed an impor- tant part of his well rounded career. He was a tariff Democrat prior to the formation of the Re- publican party, and represented his county as Whig candidate for Congress from the district in such in the State Legislature in 1849-50, serving on important committees both sessions. In 1868 previously stated, he died Oct. 20th of that year, he was elected to Congress, representing the Four- having achieved. much in his short but active teenth district, and was reelected four times in career. He married Rachel Black, daughter of succession, declining a fifth nomination after re- ceiving it. He was a member of Congress from 1869 to 1877, during which time he did impor- James and Catherine (Cochran) Black, and they were the parents of five children, viz. : John B., Eliza J., Jane B., Samuel J., Jr., and Mary C. tant committee work, the first term as a member (who married Rev. F. B. Riddle).

John B. Packer, son of Samuel J. Packer, was born March 21, 1824, at Sunbury, Northumber- land Co., Pa., and received an excellent education, principally at Sunbury Academy, then recently established and under the charge of two classical scholars, men of thorough culture and great abil- ity as teachers. From 1839 to 1842 he was a mem- ber of a corps of engineers employed by the State in the survey and construction of public improve- ments. In 184? he commenced the study of law under the celebrated Ebenezer Greenough, and was admitted to the Northumberland county bar Aug.

of the committee on Banking and Currency, the second on Railroads and Canals (of which he was chairman), the third term on Post Offices and Post Roads (of which he was chairman) and the fourth terin on Foreign Affairs. In his public life as in legal practice Mr. Packer always commanded at- tention as a speaker, his style being lucid and log- ical. his arguments strong, his eloquence notable on occasion. He died July 7, 1891. honored by all who had had the privilege of his acquaintance, and mourned as a public benefactor whose place was not easy to fill.

On May 22, 1851, Mr. Packer married Mary M.

6, 1844. The year following he was appointed Cameron, who was born July 2, 1831, daughter of deputy. attorney general, in which capacity he William Cameron, of Lewisburg, Pa., and five chil- dren were born to their union : William Cameron, Rachel (wife of Ferdinand K. Hill), James Cam- eron, Mary and Nellie C. The mother survived until Dec. 6, 1905. She was the founder of the Mary M. Packer hospital of Sunbury, named in her honor, an institution that has proved a great blessing to the community, filling a long-felt want. She contributed liberally toward its establish- ment. served three years. Though he attained more than local fame for his ability as a lawyer he was very prominent outside of his profession as well as in legal circles. He was prominent in the organ- ization -of and as counsel for many railroad com- panies launched in his day. In 1851 he assisted in the organization of the Susquehanna Railroad Company, since merged into the Northern Central, and served many years as counsel and one of its directors. It was originally chartered to connect York, Cumberland and Sunbury, and was eventu- WILLIAM CAMERON PACKER, of Sunbury, ally made a part of the Pennsylvania system. Mr. is one of the younger element prominent in busi- Packer acted as counsel for the Philadelphia & ness circles in that borough, where as secretary

and treasurer of the Sunderland Lumber Com- pany and secretary and treasurer of the Sunbury

Erie, the Pennsylvania, the Lackawanna & Blooms- burg and several other railway companies, and was concerned in the sale and reorganization of the Burial Case Company he is identified with two^ railroad properties of the Shamokin Valley & Pottsville railroad ; in fact, there were scarcely any cases of the kind of importance in this county- in the litigation resulting from contested land titles and in railroad and other cases-with which he was not professionally, connected. of the most important concerns, in their respec- tive lines, in this section of the State of Pennsyl- vania. Mr. Packer has already demonstrated his right to be counted in the same class of citizens as his forefathers for several generations have been. He has all the intelligence, foresight and famous, and he is doing honor to a name which has long been considered representative of the progress of this region, which in its development owes much to the enterprise of the Packers and their business associates. Public education. pub- lic improvements. philanthropic projects and all

In 1855 Mr. Packer became identified with the executive qualities for which his ancestors were Northumberland Bank, of which he was elected president in 1857, serving as such until 1864. That year it was merged into the First National Bank of Sunbury, and Mr. Packer was elected president, continuing to serve in that capacity the remainder of his life. He was also connected as stockholder, director and adviser with the banks the movements which characterize the expansion of Selinsgrove and Lewisburg, l'a. He was one of the community's interests have always received

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

their encouragement and support. He is a son of ing children: Mary C., who is married to Harry the late William Cameron Packer and grandson C. Blue, of Northumberland, Pa .; John B., born of Jolm B. Packer.

June 14, 1879, who was educated at Bucknell Uni- versity aud Yale Law School and is now in the lumber business in Philadelphia (he married Oct. 8, 1910, Mary C. Yorks. of Danville, Pa. ) ; and W. Cameron. In 1884 Mr. Packer married (second )

William Cameron Packer, son of John B. Pack- er; was born in Sunbury May 1, 1852, and was identified with that borough throughout his life. He received his early education in the local public schools, later attending the Wilkes-Barre Acad- Laura A. Houtz, sister of his first wife. She sur- emy and the Bloomsburg State normal school, from vives him, as do all his children. which latter institution he was graduated in 1871. William Cameron Packer was born May 20, 1881, in Sunbury, youngest child of William Cam- eron and Jennie H. (Houtz) Paeker. He re- ceived his early education in the local schools, graduating from Media Academy in 1898 and then entering Bucknell College, where he studied two terms. He next became a clerk in the First National Bank of Sunbury, where he was em- ployed for six years. In 1907 he was one of the organizers of the Sunderland Lumber Company, of which John L. Miller was chosen president, P. R. Sunderland, vice president, and Mr. Packer, sec- retary and treasurer. The offices and yards of this company are at Sunbury. It is engaged in the manufacture and wholesaling of lumber, lath. flooring, siding, etc., handling one of the largest businesses of the kind in this portion of the State. and enjoys a trade which is expanding steadily. All the members of the concern are live business men, able to make the most of the opportunities afforded in this section, and the company has ev- ery prospect of a successful future. Mr. Packer Hle then entered upon the study of law under his father's tuition, was admitted to the county bar Nov. 5, 1822, and settled in Sunbury for prac- tice. Mr. Packer was a thorough student and ex- ponent of the law, for which he had a natural pre- dilection, and though a young man at the time of his death had long been conceded to be one of the ablest legal practitioners in this section. His practice was large and responsible. Several years after his admission to the bar he was appointed solicitor for the Pennsylvania Railway Company in Northumberland county, and he retained that association until his death. He was eonnected with a number of important local business enter- prises, being a director of the First National Bank of Sunbury, laid out the Cameron addition to Shamokin, this county. and took an important part in the public administration of Sunbury. In 1825 he became a member of the borough coun- cil, in which he continued to serve for several vears, being assistant burgess in 1876-78, second burgess in 1879-80, and chief burgess from 1881 to is also secretary and treasurer of the Sunbury Buri- 1883. During this period, as a result of his efforts, al Case Company, which has succeeded to the the river embankment was constructed, protecting . business established by the late Ira T. Clement. the town from damage by flood, and the borough His achievements thus far entitle him to rank debt was materially reduced and refunded at a among the leading young business men of the bor- lower rate of interest, thus saving the taxpayers ough. He is a director of the First National Bank. considerable. Mr. Packer was a Republican in pol- itics. IIe died June 4, 1886, at the early age of

Socially Mr. Packer has been quite active as a member of Lodge No. 22. F. & A. M .. of Sun- thirty-four. The following was written by one bury: of Northumberland Chapter, No. 174, R. A. who knew him well : "Running through his life M .; of Mount Hermon Commandery, No. 85. K. was a vein of generosity that formed' one of his T .; and of the Temple and Ameriens Clubs. Hc prominent characteristics. The poor, into whose was president of the Temple Club in 1910-11. home his bounteous hand carried comfort and as- He takes an active interest in the welfare of No. sistance,'are among those who will miss him most . 1 Fire Company, of which he is a member, his in the days to come. His friends are numbered uncle being one of its most enthusiastic supporters. by thousands, including all classes of society. To He attends the Presbyterian Church.

know him was to love him, and few there are who

have had that pleasure who do not recall some Esther Lucretia Seal, of Millersburg, Pa., and kindly deed performed or some cheering word ut- they had one daughter, Mary Cameron. Mrs. Packer died Feb. 24, 1906. tored in the hour of adversity. To the sick and afflicted he is endeared by ties which even death van not sever, for his goodness supplied many delicacies and attentions otherwise beyond their reach. In all relations of life he was the same --- honorable, upright, manly and charitable."

On March 19, 1905, Mr. Packer was married to

REV. JOSEPH PRIESTLEY, whose residence at Northumberland has probably given to the place a wider celebrity than any other circum- stance in connection with its history, was born at Fieldhead. near Leeds, Yorkshire, England, March 13, 1733. His early education was ob-

In 1875 Mr. Packer married Jennie H. Houtz, who was born Dee. 9, 1852. daughter of Dr. Henry ". and Harriet ( Boob) Hontz, of Alexandria, Pa. tained under the tuition of Reverends Hagne and She died April 1, 1882, the mother of the follow- Kirby, and at the age of sixteen he had acquired

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

a fair knowledge of Latin, Greek and Hebrew. In coal and the calcination of metals. It was not un- September, 1752, he went to the academy of Dav- til June or July, 1724. that he made the full dis- covery of dephlogisticated air (oxygen air; the term was introduced to scientific nomenclature by Priestley ), which he procured from precipitate per se, and from red lead. He announced this dis- covery publicly at the table of M. Lavosier at Par- is in October, 1774, and about the same time re- peated his experiments before the scientific cheni- ists of Paris.

entry, where he spent three years, entering the ministry as assistant to the Rev. Mr. Meadows, of Needham Market, Suffolk, at the conclusion of his academic course. There he remained three years ; during this period his first published work, "The Doctrine of the Atonement," was issued. The following three years, 1758-61, were spent at Nantwick, where he wrote an English grammar and "Observations on the Character and Reason- ing of the Apostle Paul." From 1761 to 1767 he taught elocution, logic, Hebrew and the civil law in an academy at Warrington. During this con- . nection he inet Benjamin Franklin at London, and, as the result of this association, began a se- ries of experiments in electricity. He also gave much attention to the subject of political econ- omy ..

In a sketch of this nature it is impossible to pursue his subsequent investigations; enough has been said to show that in the brief space of two years he announced to the world more facts of real importance and wide application in pneu- matic chemistry than all his predecessors had previously made known. His attention was called to the subject purely by the accident of his prox- imity to a brew-house at Leeds, where he had an- ple opportunity to observe and determine the properties of fixed air; one experiment led to another, ultimately resulting in the discoveries upon which his philosophical reputation is prin- cipally founded.

In September, 1767, he removed to Leeds, hav- ing accepted an invitation to take charge of Mill- hall chapel. Here the first of his controversial treatises was written : he also published an "Essay on Government," "A Familiar Introduction to the Study of Electricity," a "Chart of History," etc. After a residence of six years at Leeds, he en- tered the service of the Earl of Shelburne, with whom he traveled in Europe. In 1780 he became pastor of a dissenting congregation at Birming- ham, where, in 1789, he became involved in a controversy regarding the "test act": his expressed approval of the French Revolution provoked a violent attack from Burke in Parliament, and, to such an extent had his political views aroused the hostility of the Birmingham populace, that, on the 14th of July, 1791, his residence was burned by a mob. This called forth a number of address- es, among which were several invitations to be- come a member of the French Convention. Dur- ing the next three years he resided at London and Hackney, but, finding the hostility of his enemies unabated, he decided to leave England, and em- His house at Leeds adjoined a brewery, and oh- servations of fixed air produced in the process of fermentation led to a series of experiments upon the nature of the atmosphere, ultimately result- ing in that discovery with which his name will al- ways be associated. He began these experiments with but limited knowledge of chemistry, but this apparent disadvantage. undoubtedly contributed largely to his success, as he was thus thrown en- tirely upon his own resources and led to devise new apparatus and modes of operation. His first publication on the subject of air appeared in 1772: it was a small pamphlet on the method of im- pregnating water with fixed air. In the previous year he had already procured good air from . salt- petre : he had ascertained the use of agitation and of vegetation, as the means employed by nature in barked for America April 7, 1294. The consider- purifying the atmosphere for the support of animal ations that induced his location at Northumber- life, and that air vitiated by animal respiration land are thus stated in his "Memoirs":

was a pabulum to vegetable life; he had procured : "At the time of my leaving England, my son, in conjunction with Mr. Cooper and other English emigrants, had a scheme for a large settlement for the friends of liberty in general near the head of the Susquehanna in Pennsylvania. And taking factitious air in a much greater variety of ways than had been known before, and he had been in the habit of substituting quicksilver in lieu of water in many of his experiments. Of these dis- coveries he gave an account in his paper before the it for granted that it would be carried into effect, Royal Society in 1772, which deservedly obtained after landing at New York I went to Philadel- phia. and thenee to Northumberland, a town the nearest to the proposed settlement, thinking to reside there until some progress lind been made in it. The settlement was given up; but being here, and my wife and. myself liking the place. I have determined to take up my residence here, though subject to many disadvantages. Philadel- phia was excessively expensive, and this compar- the honor of the Copley medal. In this paper he announced the discovery of nitrous air: he showed the use of a burning lens in pnemnatic experi- ments; he related the discovery and properties of marine acid air ; he added inuch to the little there- tofore known of air generated by animal putre- faction and vegetable fermentation, and deter- mined many facts relating to the diminution 'and deterioration of air by the combustion of char- atively a cheap place: and my sons, settling in the

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NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

neighborhood, will be less exposed to temptation tce of Birmingham. This convention and the and more likely to form habits of sobriety and in- demonstrations of a similar nature in England at- dustry. They will also be settled at much less tracted wide attention. expense than in or near a large town. We hope, The following is taken from a Sunbury news- paper of April 10, 1910: "The old Unitarian Church in Northiunberland famed for its connec- tion with the Priestley family will remain a me- morial chapel and library in the future. after some time, to he joined by a few of our friends from England, that a readier communica- tion inay be opened with Philadelphia, and that the place will improve and become more eligible in other respects."

"The steps taken by the American Unitarian Association, of Boston, toward keeping green the memory of Dr. Joseph Priestley, one of the fore- most scientists of his day and one of the founders of Northumberland, are now being displayed in the renovation of the old Unitarian edifice in Northumberland, where the Priestley family long worshipped.

"The church was rapidly falling into decay, and altered by the construction of the railroad and had not been used for a long time. The trustees,

who held possession, secured an order of court to transfer the property to the association, whose some time ago, and he resumed his experiments. main purpose is the preservation of such spots and studies. He was offered the professorship of of historic interest.

In the spring of 1695 he began the construction of a large house, suitable to his requirements and pursuits, on the estate which he purchased to the east of the borough. It was completed in 1792, and still stands in a good state of preservation on Northi' Way, owned by Robert Scott, Esq. He laid out a beautiful lawn, sloping to the canal, and set out many shade trees, but the effect has been canal. Here he had a large library and laboratory, and on the roof an observatory, which disappeared chemistry in the University of Pennsylvania, but declined, although he delivered two courses of lectures in Philadelphia. He corresponded with Presidents Jefferson and. Adams, and, although a voluminous writer on political economy, never participated actively in the civil affairs of this country, of which he never became a naturalized citizen. In religious belief he was a Unitarian, and established at Northumberland the oldest church of that denomination in central Pennsyl- vania ; he was also active in promoting the educa- tional interests of the community and was one of the founders of the old Northumberland Acad- emy, the first school of advanced grade in this part of the State. He became the owner of many thousands of acres in what is now Sullivan coun- ty, which he sold to his fellow countrymen very cheap in order to induce them to locate there. The last years of his life were free from the con- troversy and care that entered so largely into his experience, and thus he died, in peace and quiet- ness, on Feb. 6, 1804. His remains were interred in the little Friends' burial ground at Northum- berland. The "Memoirs of Dr. Joseph Priestley, to the year 1795, written by himself; with a con- tinuation, to the time of his decease, by his son, Joseph Priestley," were printed by John Binns at Northumberland in 1805.

The centennial anniversary of the discovery of oxygen was celebrated at Northumberland in the in farming throughout his life. On April 22, summer of 1874, by a meeting of about fifty of the 1817, he was united in marriage to Frances Dun- . most prominent scientists of the United States das, and they had eight children: Jane B., born and Canada. David Taggart delivered the address Jan. 15, 1818: Joseph; Elizabeth. born Ang. 3. of welcome, and Professor Chandler, of Colum- 1821: Marks John, born Jan. 17. 1823; Lindsay. bia College, New York, presided. Appropriate born Feb. 9, 1827: Marianne, born Sept. 22, 1831: memorial exercises and scientific addresses were Jane D., born May 4, 1833; and Sarah A., born the features of the program. Cablegrams were in- May 10. 1836. Mr. Priestley died Nov. 10, 1863, ferchanged with the Priestley Memorial Commit- and his wife survived him until Dec. 18, 18?S. He

"It is the intention to make a memorial chap- el and library out of the church. .A cellar is be- ing dug, a furnace will be installed, the building will be wired for electric lighting. and other im- provements will be completed."

Joseph Priestley, a son of Rev. Joseph Priestley, was born in England in 1768, and after his mar- riage came to this country with his father. He, too, became interested in land speculations in Sul- livan county, and the vast wilds which he and his father possessed have long since been converted in- to beautiful homes and farm land. His first union was formed in England, April 15, 1792, with Eliz- abeth Ryland, and they were the parents of five children, namely : Joseph Raynor; Elizabeth Ray- nor, born Aug. 28, 1798, who was the wife of Joseph Parker: Lindsay, born July 21. 1801; Marian, born July 26, 1803, who married Rev. Wil- liam Bower : and Sarah, born April 28, 1807, who inarried Robert Wainwright. After the death of his wife Mr. Priestley returned to England. where he formed a second matrimonial alliance with Lu- cinda Barton and, as she was opposed to coming to America to live, he spent the remainder of his life there, dying September 3, 1833.

Joseph Raynor Priestley. son of Joseph, was born in England March 23, 1793, and upon reach- ing maturity succeeded to his father's property. Although a man of means he was largely engaged

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

.was one of the founders of the First National Bank of Northumberland and for many years served as its cashier.

Dr. Joseph Priestley was born in Point township, Northumberland Co., Pa., Sept. 22, 1819, and at- tended the private school taught by the Rev. David

Dr. Awl's grandfather, Jacob, who came .from Kirkpatrick of Milton: He then read medieine the North of Ireland, spelled the name. Aul, and- it

with Dr. James Dougal of Milton, and was gradu- ated from the medical department of the Univer- was originally spelled Auld in Ireland. He was born in the North of Ireland Aug. 6, 1727, and sity of Pennsylvania in March, 1844. He took up settled in Paxton township, Dauphin Co., Pa., be- fore the Revolution, before and during which struggle he took an efficient part in Colonial mil- itary affairs. He was ensign and lieutenant in Colonel Elder's battalion of rangers in the fron- tier wars, from 1756 to 1764, taking part in Col- onel Bouquet's victory over the Indians at Bushy

the practice of his profession at Northumberland and rose rapidly to a place in the foremost ranks of the physicians of that section. During the forty years of his practice he had a very large pat- ronage and was at all times held in the highest es- teem. He was an extensive owner of real estate, possessing several farms.

He purchased the Run, which prepared the way for the capture of grand old brick building known at the time as the Fort Pitt by the British and Colonial forces. "Burr Hotel" and remodeled it into a fine home When the Revolution came on he was active in the

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Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, Part 3

Author: Floyd, J.L., & Co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1911 Publisher: Chicago, J. L. Floyd & Co. Number of Pages: 1090

Author: Floyd, J.L., & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago, J. L. Floyd & Co.
Number of Pages: 1090