The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1857-04-08

| the town OF PrncetoI now Stands. his IA
ther also banned James, was born IN Cheste
county. Pc. On the maternal side he is con
uec,ed with the PeltiIs, large and infuen.
| tial family in Pennsylvania. When Pockei
was but seven years old his father died leav-
ing widow and five small children. A, this
tender age he was under the necessity ol
contributing 10 his own support, ard tina, oil
the family, by The most severe and exhaust.
ing labor and some years after atilhe age Of
twelve years, he travelled from Bellfome 10
Sunbury, forlhe purposeof learnins the print
ing busines with his cousin, Samuel j. Pack
er, formerly disdneuishsd Senator, aud Then
editor oil the Pasfie Haquper. paper which
advocated with great ability The reelection
of William Findiay for Governor, in 1920
Some lime alter The defeat Of Mr. Findlay,
the InesS@r was discontinued, and in 1928
General Packer returned 10 Bsllfonte TO com.
plete his knowledge Of The printing business,
in tue Office of the Belyonte Patriot, then un-
der the control Of Henry Pslriken, ESQ.,, who
WAS subsequently distinguished as Senator.
General Packer completed his apprenticeship
10 May, 1925, and was employed as jour.
neyman al the profession Of the great Frank.
lin, on the public printing in Harrisburg, in
the years 1925, 1926, and 1927. In the lat
ter year be purchased an interest in the Ly-
coming Gazsiis, at WlliamspoH, Lycominy
county and in 1929, upon The decease OF
his partner, Mr.. Brandon, became the cole
owner Of that Time honored Democratic jour.
nal lis years sIready number more than
half century, and it still carries at its head
The motto: Be ye just and fear not" &c,
which was placed there nearly thirty years
ago by the present Judge Lewis, Of Lancas-
Ter, during his editorial control Of that paper.
1t is siill fourishing aud influential journal,
and is at present conducted by c. D. Eldred,
Esq, gentleman of fine abilities and exal,-
ed judgment. While The Gazette was under
the control Of General Packer, which was
abou, oine years, il Supported the election Of
Andrew Jackson, Martin Van Burer. Georee
Wolf, aud other Democratic standard bearers
OF that period and the cause of Democracy
was greatly indebted, during these contests,
to The discreet counsels Of General Packer,
and to the power Of his pan made known
through the editorial columns of bis paper-
In 1929, General Packer inlermsrried with
the daughter Of Peter Vanderbilt, F-q. re-
spectacle citizen of Wiliamspori, who had
occupied various ofic'si jr,s'ions, indisptise
of the public confidence of his fellow. ciiigens.
Miss VANDERBILT was ths grand daughter oi
Michael Ross, Esq, u gentleman distinguish.
ed for his energy of character. and strength
of mind. He was al one lime the owner of
the land whereon the borough of Williams
port now stands and his descendants conlin-
ue extensive proprietors of valuabls lands ad-
Joining the town.
In 1892, shortly after tie improvement sys-
tam had commenced in Pennsylvania, and
after the West Branch Canal had been adop.
ted as part oflhe system, through the votes
aud influence oil the Philadelphia members,
the West Branch Improvement was left Out
of The improvement Bill, and thus threatened
with abandonment. Had this decision been
adhered 10, the people Of that section would
have derived no bene6, from the large ex-
pendilors of the public money for improve
ment purposes. Public meelings were i'm.
medialely held, addresses were delivered,
resolutions adopted, and, among other strong
measures, direct appeal was made 10 the
people Of Philadelphia City and County a.
gainst the suicidal policy of their own mem
bers. This last measure had the desired eT-
feet; and The Philadelphia members, under
the influences brought to bear upon Them
from their own immediate constituency, re-
traced their Steps, and vo:ed for the West
Branch Improvement, and Il s0as thus sared
In all these proceedings, General Packer,
although a very young man, bore leading
part. To his efforts, more thpn 10 any other
individual, are the people OF that section Of
the country indebted for the construction Of
their valuable anal. AS the work progress.
cd, the public voice very properly called for
his appointment as Superintendent, which Of
fee he held until the spriug of 1885. He
discharged the duties Of his Station 10 the sat.
isisc,ion Of The people, and disbursed without
a doiIar's ioss 10 shs State, while he held the
office, more than million and quarter OF
the public money! His accounts were ell
regularly and properly seuIed. In 1885, Gen.
Packer was the warm friend Of Gov. Wolf
and received the Democratic nomination for
the Senate. but as the Democratic party was
that year distracted by The unfortunate guber
nalorial contest between the friends oil Wolf
and Muslenberg, a portion Of the friends of
Muhlenbers coaIesced with the Wings in IA
vor of Alexander Irvine, then Muhlentrrs
man. but eince Unied States Marshal under
General Taylor, and General Packer was de-
feaied. 10 1886 he united with Msssrs.
Parke aud Barret, in the publication Of the
Harrisburg Keystone. The paper i:seli is the
best evidence Of the eminent abilities OF those
three gentlemen as editors. This connection
continued until 1s4t. Mi. Pafke is now en-
| gagged IN the psacice OF the law, and Mr..
Barrett, after season of reiiremsnl from public
life, has again made his appearance in the
editorial chair, and his abilities viii, mo doubt,
insure him an appropriate reward. In 1888
General Packer distinguished himself by his
political tact and the power Of bis eloquence
as speaker at the public meetings OF the
people, 10 advocating the election Of David
r. porfar Than fha Tam oeeat,c <.a tttoto fo,