USA > Pennsylvania > Northumberland County > History of Northumberland Co., Pennsylvania. With illustrations descriptive of its scenery, palatial residences, public buildings, fine blocks, and important manufactories > Part 50
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Intelligence, sobriety, mì industry, characterize the citizens of the place.
PERSONAL SKETCHES
-OF-
PROMINENT MEN OF NORTHUMBERLAND CO.
HON. SAMUEL J. PACKER.
This great anil good mnn, oow deceased, was born in Bald Eagle Valley, Centre County, I'n., March 23d, 1799.
When a young man be learned the printer's trinle, in Bellefonte, C'entre County, and în 1820, came to Sunbury and established a pper called the "Public Enquirer," which,. however, be conducted for a brief perinil only. While engaged on this paper, he read law under the instruction of llngh Bellas, Esq., mnl was admitted to the bur, in Sunliry August 230, 1823, to which profession be devoted his life.
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In 1830, he was elected to the Senate of Pennsylvania, where he served four years, and died in the Autumn, after the expiration of his term of office.
While in the Senate, he took a very active interest in the Internal Improvement system of the State, which was then in its infancy, and secured the passage of the net that afterwards resulted in the construction of what was thep called the Danville and Pottsville, bot now the Shamokin Valley and Pottsville Railroud.
As ('hniruan of n Select Committee, appointuil by the Senate, he also prepared and made to that body the earliest Legislative Report regarding the . Anthracite and Bituminous Coal Fields of the State. For the first extensive investigation of these interests, and the innuguration of important measures, which have since led to the development of these leading industries of the Commonwealth, Mr. Packer will ever be hell in grateful remembrance.
Ile possessed greut force of character and a remarkably cheerful, social disposition, aml was admirably calculated to make friends, among whom was the Hoo, Simon Cameron, who was very waruly attached to him. He was also endowed with great taet and energy, and became a very netive and influential politician. He was a lending spirit in the initiatory steps of the campaign in which the Ilon. Joseph Rituer was elected Governor of Pennsylvania, nad it was understood that, had he lived, he would have been mude Secretary of State under that administration. Ilis life, however, so full of proouse, was brought to an untimely elose on October 20th, 1834, at the age of thirty-five.
Mr. Packer's wife was Mis Rachel Black, by whom he had a family of two sons and two daughters, the latter deressed. The youngest daughter, Mary, became Rev. Mrs. F. B. Riddel, of Huntingdon County, Pu. The second son, Sanmel J. Packer, Jr., is the Cashier of the First National Bank of Sunbury. The ohhest child,
JION. JOHN B. PACKER,
of Sunbury, was born in this borough, March 21st, 1824. When a child he attended school in Harrisburg, at the time his father was a member of the Legislature. After his father's death, which wecurred when young Packer was in his eleventh year, he was, for some four years, a student at the old Suphury Aradlemy ; first, under the tuition of Cale Pelton, nud subsequently, that uf F. M. Lebbrun; both gentlemen of high reputation as educators.
At the age of lifteen, he entered n corps of engineers where he was employed for nearly three years; Orst, on the Wiconisco Canal, and afterwards on the State's exploro- tion of the route between Harrishurg and Pittsburg, on which is now constructed the Pennsylvania Railroad.
Ile then began the study of law in the office of Ebenezer Greenough, Esq., of Sunbury, and was admitted to the bar on August 6th, 1844. He at once entered on the practice of his profession in Sunbury.
In 1815, he was appointed Deputy Attorney Generol for Northumberland County, and served about three yeor,
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In the Antun of 1840, he was elected, on the Democratie ticket from Northumber- land County, to the House of Representatives of the Pennsylvania Legislature, Imdl was re-elected in 1850. At this time, Mr. Packer was the youngest member in that body. During the first session he served on the Judiciary Committee, and also upon the Com- mittee on Internal Improvements. An important measure before the Legislature at this time, and one which createil great interest throughout the Commonwealth, was the proposed umendment to the State Constitution, which provided that the judges should be elected by a direet ente of the people.
This amenthoent, Mr Piwker supported in a vigorous, pointed and masterly urgu- ment, which at once established his reputation as a sound legislator and an able delater. His speech was very extensively copied by the press of the Commonwealth, and used in the campaign in support of the principle of an elective judiciary.
In the second session, (1851), Mr. Pucker wus made Chairman of the Counnitice on Estates and Eschents, and also served as a member of the Committee on Corporations.
The measure, however, which was of the greatest local interest to Northumberland County, and in which Mr. Pneker, took a lending part, was the passage of an act incor- porating the Susquebunnn Railroad Company, with authority to construct a railroad from the northern tenoinus of the York and Cumberland Railroad to Sunbury ; also, with authority to construct branches to Williamsport and Wilkesbarre.
Prior to this, Philadelphia had Jooked with a jealous eye upon any improvement which would be likely to divert the trade of the Susquehanna Valley towards Baltimore, and up to that time, through her large delegation in the Legislature, bad successfully resisted all attempts to secure a charter for the construction of a railroadl or other improvement in that direction.
After a severe struggle, however, which lasted until the close of the session, the net authorizing the incorporation of the company just Died, was finally paused, and io a short time thereafter, the company was organized, the route selected, and the work put under contract. The organization was effected by the election of William F. Packer,- subsequently Governor of Pennsylvania-president; John B. Packer, Simon Cameron, George F. Miller, Joseph R. Priestly, and Eli Slifer, directors, residing in the State of Pennsylvania, who were associated jo the directivo with a number of gentlemen from the city of Baltimore.
Upon the completion of this public thoroughfare, it was consolidated, nader authority granted by the Legislatures of the States of Maryland and Pennsylvania, with the York and Cumberland, the York and Maryland, and the Baltimore and Susquehanna Railroads, under the title of the Northern Central Rintwny, forming a continuous line of railroad from the city of Baltimore to the boronghi of Sunbury, a distance of one hundred and thirty-eight miles.
During the construction of this work, and for some time after the consolidation, Mr. Packer was one of the Dirvetors of the road, and from the commencement of the coterprise he has been the attorney of the company. Indeed, for a period of some ten yeors, be devoted much of his time to this undertaking, and it is largely owing to luis energy and able management that its success bermme assured.
In 1867, Mr. Pocker was elected President of the Bank of Northumberland, then located in Northumberlund borough, but now known as the First National Bank of Sunbury, und still remains the head of this institution. It may be added that he suc- ceeded his father-in-law, William Cameron, Esq., who was for several years the leading officer of the old bonk.
Mr. Packer has not, however, on account of his connection with the bank, omitted his attention to his professional duties, but has prosecuted the anme with great diligence and signal success. Ile has been engaged, on one side or the other, in ull the leading causes tried in Northumberland County, as well as in many of the more important cases
-
PLATE XXX I.
Imleahy
Inspectfully
8 jours W. S. Cummings
Respectfully Jours
141
HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
in some of the adjoining ronnties. Among these, were a number of very important railroad cases, and also a number of suits involving the original land titles of the Com- monwealth, many of which have now became the lending ones in this branch of the law in the State.
Up to about the year 1856, Mr. Packer hand acted with what was known as the Demo- ertie party. He had, however, always been a firm advoente of n tariff for the protection of American industry, and the position upon this point assumed by many leading Democrats who began to control the policy of that party, did not coincide with Mr. Packer's views of political polier.
In 1852, he opjured the nomination of Mr. Buchanan for the Presideney, anuel subsequently, in 1856, when Mr. Buchanan was the Democratic candidate for the Presidency, Mr. Packer took a decided stand with the Republican party, in whose platform the protective system fornied an important plauk. Since then he has been prominently identified with this party.
During the late protracted struggle of the I'niun for existence, he stood bollly forth in the cause of the Government, and most efficiently supported the Administration in its efforts to subdue the Rebellion and maintain " the Union, one ond inseparable!''
In the Autumn of 1868, Mr. Packer was elected on the Republican ticket, from the Fourteenth Congressional District of Pennsylvania, and has since then represented this district in the Lower House of the National Legislature, having been re-elected in 1870, 1872, und 1874.
At the time of his first three elections, this district was composed of the counties of Union, Snyder, Dauphin, Northumberland, and Jomata, the first three being Republican, and the last two Democratic.
When Inst elected, in 1874, the district compriseil the counties of Northumberland, Lebanon, and Dauphin; the first being Democratie, and the last two Republican.
At each of these elections his native connty-Northumberland-although usually pretty strongly Democratie, gave him a majority; and at the last canvass, in 1874, he carried that county by a majority of about six hundred ; thus receiving a large majority in every county of his district.
During his eight years of Congressional service, Mr. Packer has taken a very active part in all the most important measures that have been before that body.
In the Forty-first Congress, commencing March 4th, 1869, he served on the "Com- mittee on Banking and Currency." Amung other important matters, this committee was charged with the investigation of the "Gold Panie," or the proceedings of "Black Friday," and made the memorable examination nod report that exposed the fraud resorted to by Fisk, Gould & Co., to enrich themselves at the expense of the public.
It was also during this session that the original limitation in the amount of currency, as fixed by the original "Biking Act," was exteruled by a bill reported from this com- mittee, which found in Mr. Packer an able supporter.
ITis effort, also, at the time of the perleney of the bill for the re-adjustment of the tarif; was an eurnext protest against any reduction of the anty upon iron, and a masterly defense of the policy of protection to American industries.
In the Farty-scunnd Congress Mr. Packer with Chairman of the Committee on "Railways and Canals," to which were referred many important measures affecting the internal improvements of the country, and particularly those proposed to be constructed in the Territories of the United States.
In the Forty-third Congress he served us Chairman of the Committee on "Pust- Offices and Post-Roads." The duties of this committee were very arduous and responsible, being elarged, ns they were, with the legislation relating to the mmingement of the entire Postal System of the United State-, which has grown into proportions su gigantie as to be truly astonishing, One of the leading questions before this committee was the restoration of the Franking Privilege in its application to the distribution of public documents, by which provision such Congressional deemments would be transmitted to the people free of juringe; also, in its application to the free transmission of newspapers in the County where published.
As chairmann of this committee, Mr. Pneker reported a bill securing the free trans- mission of newqmyers through the mails, in the county wherein publishert, and after very considerable effort, succeeded in effecting its passage, by virtue of which this privilege has been since enjoyed.
Among other measures reported by this committee wus one to prevent what is known ns "Straw-bidding." This was an uet of very grent importance, und was designed to protect the Government against the fraudulent devices resorted to by mail-contractors to extort from the Postal Service Department exorbitant pay for carrying the mnils.
In the Forty-fourth Congress Mr. Packer serred ay a member of the Committee on "Foreign Affairs."
On the 7th of October, 1876, he was, for the fifth time, unanimously nominated for Congres by the Republican Conference of the Fourteenth Congressional District, but declined the nomination, "ont of n regard for the rights of the other portions of the distriet;" whereupon the conference adopted the following resolution :--
" Resolved, That the Republicans of the Fourteenth Congressional District have watched the course of their distinguished representative in Congress, IIon, John B. Parker, with great interest, and they cordially approve and endorse it. His record throughont hate been pure and stainless, his advocney and support of Republican prin- ciples has been consistent and efficient, and his whole public service has been honorable to himself, and reflects credit on the constituency whom he huts represented. They yield to his desire to retire from public service with sincere regret, and assure him of their undiminished respect and confidence."
In declining this honor, and that, too, in a district where n nomination is equivalent to an election, Mr. Parker exhibited n magnnuimity and self-forgetfulness that command ahke the fullest confidence and the highest admiration ; and by this course he has set an example of self-snerifice and unswerving ambition to the right, which is in happy keeping with that high-toned honor for which he has ever been distinguished. IIis publie career has been un exceptionally creditable one. In his eight years' service in the National Av-embly, there has never been a suspension of his integrity; while the ability and fidelity with which he has represented the various interests of his country, have placed him in the front rank of American patriots.
His courteous dignity, urbane bearing and generous sympathies, moreover, chirie- terize him ns a gentleman of great moral worth.
On May 221, 1851, Mr. Packer was united in marriage with Miss Mary M. daughter of William Cameron, Est, of Lewisburg, Pa, and niere of the Ilon. Simon Cameron, of Harrisburg. This mion hus been blessed with a family of two sons und four daughters-one daughter dlerensed. The oldest wa, William C. Preker, studied law with his father, and was nilmitted to practice in Sunbury, on the 5th of November, 1872, mul hns before him a future full with promise.
DAVID ROCKEFELLER, ESI.
This widely-known and useful citizen of Sunbury was born in Northumberlund Connty, in the lith of September, 1802.
In the early part of his manhood he was engaged in the mercantile business, but in 1826 entered the field as a surveyor, which occupation he followed up to the time of his decease. Ili- services in this department were sought after in the trial of nearly every important ejectaient ense tried within the last thirty years or more in Northern Pennsylvania. Evidence- of his efficient labor may he find in Berks, Lebanon, Schuylkill, Dauphin, Northumberland, Columbia, Montanr, Lycoming, Clinton, Centre, Cameron, Bradford, Potter, Elk, Tioga, and other rimties of this State.
In this important profesion he won a reputation tur amt near, and became one of the most distinguished Surveyors in the Commonwealth. He Innl been preceded in this vousition by his uncle, Jacob Rockefeller. He filled the position of County Surveyor for many years, andl was practically filling it at the time of his death.
His last service was for Mr. John Hans, of Upper Angusta Township.
He possessed a must remarkable memory, which enabled lam to give, with perfect necurary and without reference to his nutes the minnte details of surveys made more than a quarter of a century ngu,
During his long and netive life he filled mony prominent official positions. For a period of twenty years he occupied the office of Deputy Sheriff; a part of the time uniler Henry Reader, of MeEnensville.
In 1848 he was appointed Register and Recorder of thi- county by Governot Johnson. Ile was a candidate for the same position afterwards, It was beaten buy a small majority. He was also appointed Notary Public by Governer Curtin, and subsequently by Governor, Geary and IIntranft, and was filling the position when he died.
For several days previous to hi- demise he had been feeling somewhint ill, Unt not- withstanding this indisposition, still ndhered to his usual work of surveying. This exertion, and the oppressive hent, overemme him, and he was subsequently found prostrated on the porch of his office, with an attack of paralysis. He lingered in this paralyzed condition for eight days, when he passed suddenly away, on the morning of the 221 of -August, 1876, at the age of seventy-three years, eleven months mil sixteen days.
Mr. Rockefeller was it man of a remarkably social disposition, and very popular among his mamy acquaintances. He pursesed a constitution of more than ordinary vigor, and applied himself with inelefatigable industry to his profesion; and his death is especially regretted by those whose honest title to lands is still in ilispnte.
142
HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
In his family and social relations he was kind, affectionate, and genial. Ile had every opportunity to become one of the wealthiest citizens in the northern part of the State, but he abhorred covetousness, mul his easy and generous disposition caused him to be the friend and counselor of all who called upon him for aid.
Mr. Rockefeller hud a family of five sons, one of whom, at the time of his premature decease, possessed a rapidly-growing reputation in the legal profession. The only sur- viving members of his family, are his widow, Mrs. Catherine Rockefeller, and his oldest Nın, the
HON. WILLIAM M. ROCKEFELLER,
of Sunbury. He wns horn in that place, August 18, 1830. Ilis education was obtained at the Sunbury Academy, and during his vuinations or absences from the same he was variously employed in working on n furm, teaching school, and in the capacity of clerk in the store of Ira T. Clement, then, 19 Duw, one of the lending business men of the place.
In 1847 he commenced rending law under the tuition of the Hon, J. B. Packer, of Sunbury, but upon the election of this gentleman to the Legislature, young Rockefeller repaired to the office of Judge Jordan, with whom he completed his legal studies, and was admitted to the bar in 1850.
Ile begun the practice of his profession in Minersville, Schuylkill County, but in about a year returned to his native town, where he has since resided.
In early life be entered the field of politics, and was a prominent member of the Democratie party. In the Gubernatorial campaign of 1851, he was Secretary of the Bigler Club, of Schuylkill comity, and in 1852 was President of the Pierce and King Club, of Northumberland County. He also held, for several years, the office of Chief Burges of the Borough of Sunbury. In 1871 he was elected to the office he now holly, of President Judge of the Eighth Judicial District-one of the largest in the State. Although this district was, at the time, strongly Democratic, Juilge Rockefeller carried it by a Republican majority of over fifteen hundred.
The Legal Intelligencer, at the time of his election, remarked, that "Our State Reports, from 1. Casey to 14 J. F. Smith, show that he has been counsel in the most important cases from his district." An innate fondness for legal studies has, for some yeurs past, inclined him to give to the same his almost exclusive devotion.
The Judge is married and has three children.
SIMON P. WOLVERTON.
The gentleman whose name formas the caption of this biographical sketch, is a leading member of the Sunbury bar. He is the second child, in a family of two sons mul three daughters, of Joseph Wolverton, Esq,, now residing in Lawrence County, Pa., und was born in Northumberland County, January 28th, 1837.
Up to the age of seventeen he worked on a farin, enjoying much educational facilities as the common schools of that day presented. He there spent a couple of years in the Danville Academy, under the tuition of Prof. J. E. Bradley, employing his winters, however, in teaching; but while so doing, keeping up with his classes in the urademie studies.
At the age of nineteen he repaired tu Lewisburg University, and entered the Fresh- man class in its third term, and having finished the Sophomore year, left the University with a view of studying law. He was actuated to this step by the fact that he was de- pendent upon his own resources, and, at that time, felt compelled to forego the advantage that would accrue from a completion of his collegiate course. To replenish his already depleted purse, he took charge of a school in Dunville, but after teaching six months, although he was then quite deeply in debt, came to the determination to struggle through college, and trust to his after efforts for the payment of his creditors.
Accordingly, in September, 1859, he returned to the University at Lewisburg, and hy extra energy and application, completed the studies of the Junior and Senior years in the time of one year, and in 1860 graduated, wearing the honors of his class in a Latin salutatory. At this time, he was six hundred dollars in debt, all of which he subse- quently liquidated by teaching.
In September of this year, he come to Sunbury and beenme principal of what was known as the Sunbury Academy, which position he held until April, 1862, Upon taking charge of the school, he also hegan the study of Inw under the instruction of II. J. Wol- verton, a relative. Upon the death of the latter, Mr. Wolverton entered the office of Judge Alexander Jordun, with whom he finished his legal preparation, and was admitted to the Bar in Sunbury, in April, 1862, when he immediately openedl an office and began practice.
Soon after luis admission to the Bar, he was employed in an important criminal case which brought Mir. Wolverton into notice as a promising young lawyer of fine ability. Since that time, he has been employed in almost every case of importance tried in the County.
The disaster to the Union arms at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, in the Inte Civil war, emboldened the Southern army to attempt for a second time, an invasion of the North, and accordingly, n proclamation was issued by the President, calling for one hun- dred thousand men. On the 20th of June, 1863, Governor Curtin called for sixty thousand men for State service for ninety days. Under this e.dl, twenty-eight regiments were or- ganized. A company was raised in Sunbury by Captain S. P. Wolverton, Jetter F, and joined the Thirty-sixth Regiment at Harrisburg, onder Colonel II. C. Alleman. It was mustered in July 4th, 1863, and discharged Angust 11th, 1863. During the time of their service, Captain Wolverton aoit his men were constantly on Anty. Although the cam- paigns of these woergency companies were bhwulless, their prompt response to the call of the country gave sure guarantee of their readiness for duty, and of their patriotism.
In September of the previous year, Captain Wolverton also recruited Company E of the Eighteenth Regiment, for the emergency service upon Stewart's invasion of Pennsyl- vanin. The company was held in service, however, only a few days.
In 1867, Mr. Wolverton received the appointment as Attorney for the Philadelphia and Rending Ruilrond Company. About the same time, he was also appointed Attorney for the Panville, Hazleton, andl Wilkesbarre Railroad Company, and has since been coun- selor Enr both organizations. He was also the prime mover for obtaining the churter of the last numed road, and was one of its first Directors.
Mr. Wolverton is endowed with almost unlimited powers of endurance, and while in college disciplined himself to work from fifteen to eighteen hours out of the twenty- four, allowing himself an average of not more than six hones for sleep. This he then felt necessitated to do on necount of his strantened pecuniary circumstances, and the same hnbit of close application to duty still obtains. When not absent from home on professional business, he may be found in his office at seven o'clock in the morning ; and he not anfrequently remains there till near midnight. Perhaps no man in the State performs so much severe, professional labor, and is at the same time so regular in his habits,
Such stenly application and unremitting toil, however, must, sooner or later, tell upon the strongest constitution, and the fear is entertained by the friends of Mr. Wolverton that his unusually arduous and useful life may be unduly shortened by the burdens he is now carrying.
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