|
NAVIGATION
Michigan
Histories
Van Buren County
Biographies
Online Biographies
Illinois
Histories
Also see [Railway Officials in America 1906]
|
The grandfather of this gentleman wss born in Bridgewater, Mass., and at the age of fourteen years entered the
Revolutionary army. At twenty-four he was married to Miss Edson, and by her became the father of eight children.
five sons and three daughters. His occupation was that of a farmer. Among his children was Amasa Packard (father
of William), who, at the age of eighteen years, married Lucinda, daughter of John Ford, her parents being also
natives of Bridgewater,—where Amasa Packard was born, Jan. 6, 1788. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Packard occupied
a tract of wild land, which they improved and resided upon until 1832, when they removed to Ohio.
William, son of Amasa and Lucinda Packard, was born in Plainfield, Mass., July 23, 1808, and was the first in a
family of eight children,— five sons and three daughters. Until he had reached his majority he assisted his father
on the home farm, and for two years subsequently hired “by the month.” May 19, 1831, he married Mary F., daughter
of Thaddeus and Mary Rude, a native of Massachusetts. The wedded pair removed to Rensselaer Co., N. Y., and occupied
a farm which Mr. Packard had previously purchased. In 1836 they changed their residence to Chatham township, Medina
Co., Ohio, where Mr. Packard bought and cleared a farm, and remained upon it until 1859. In the latter year he
removed to Allegan Co., Mich., and in 1870, to the place he now occupies in Covert township, Van Buren Co.
Mr. and Mrs. Packard are the parents of the following children: William O., born Sept. 14, 1S32; Alfred S., born
Sept. 22, 1834; Mary P., born August 18, 1836; Helen Celestia, born Oct. 28, 1842, died at the age of six months.
July 14, 1863, Mr. Packard was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died and was buried in Allegan Co.
Sept. 5, 1864, Mr. Packard was married to Mrs. Mary F. Rood, widow of Marshall Rood. Her death occurred in Covert
township August 25, 1875; and on the 19th of September, 1876, Mr. Packard was married to Josephine L. Seymour,
daughter of William H. and Ruth Seymour. This union has been blessed with one child,—Ruth Celestia, born Oct. 5,
1879. Mr. Packard united with the Congregational Church in 1844. He is a staunch Republican in politics, and has
been the recipient of numerous favors from his fellow-citizens, in the shape of offices of greater or less importance.
While a resident of Ohio he occupied all the official positions in his township, and was twice chosen to the Legislature
from Allegan Co., Mich. Since he settled in Michigan, Mr. Packard has, in company with his Sons, been extensively
engaged in the lumber business, their possessions at one time including upwards of four thousand five hundred acres
of timber, with four saw-mills in full operation. In 1877, Alfred S. Packard withdrew from the firm, and is now
individually engaged in business. William Packard and his son, William O. Packard, are yet associated, and own
and operate the saw-mills at Covert, one saw- and planing-mill having a run of stone attached for the purpose of
grinding feed. Mr. Packard’s brother, Josiah Packard, with his son-in-law, belonged to the firm of Packard, Sons
& Co. for eight years. William O. Packard was elected to the State Senate in 1876, from Van Buren County, serving
one term.
FROM:
History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan
With Illistrations and Biographical Sketches
of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers.
D. W. Ensign & Co., Philadelphia 1880
Press of J. B. Lippincoff & Co., Philadelphia.
Privacy Policy for
OnlineBiographies
|
|