Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1869-07-28
NEW SERIES--V0L. 10, NO. 2.

ton They were also engaged In the
shipping Of coal 70 Philadelphia aud
New York, on tho Schuylkill, us well
as on the Lsbigh.
MS dREAT RAILWAY ENTERPRISE.
About the year 1850 Mr. Packer
entcred seriously upon the task of ac-
complishing the greatest business
achievement Of his career, the build.
ing Of the Lehigh Valley Railroad.
Although the Lehigl Coal and Navi
CATION Company had extended their
operations until they had assumed a
gigantic scale, be had striven IN vain
TO impress the managers with the ne
cessity-of increasing theirfacilities for
reaching the market by the construc
tion Of railroad. In 1876 the Della
ware, Lehigh, Schuylkill, and Susque
hanna Railroad Company, projected
by Edward r. Biddlc, had obtained a
charter, its proposed route embracing
that section through which Mr. Packer
was SO anxious TO see a railway con
structed. No surveys were made IN.
Ill tho fall Of 1850, and when, in April,
1851, but seventeen days Of the limit
fixed for the commencement of the
work were remaining, not a shovel
had entered the ground. Mr.. Packer
then became one of the managers.
and on the same day the board, TO
avoid the annuling of the charter.
authorized the grading Of mile Of the
route, near Allentown. In October
following, Mr. Packer became owner
Of a controlling portion OF the stock
and subsequently, submitted u propo-
sition to build the road from Mauch
Chunk to Easton, q distance Of forty
six miles, for a consideration, TO be
paid in the stock and bonds, the name
OF which was now changed TO the lie
high Valley Railroad Company to suit
its extent and true field of work.
Mr.. Packers proposition was accep
tod, and he commenced work in No
vember, 1852. Under his personal
supervision il was pushed with great
vigor, and although he received only
stock and bonds in payment, and Was
subjected TO pressing financial embar.
assmcnts in consequence, yet his busi
ness reputation and the advances OF
connecting roads whose interest would
be greatly forwarded by ITS compile
iion, enabled him to finish and deliver
10 the company the entire line in
September, 1865. The success whic!
attended the company from the outset,
laid the foundation OF Mr.. Packers
princely fortune, which cannot be
more definitely stated than at some
thing between fifteen aud twenty-five
millions Of dollars In 1855 be made
handsome return for his wealth by
founding at South Bethlehem the lie
high University, for the establishment
Of which he donated magnificent
I--si-, -'-.- acres in extent, and a
round halt million of fdollars in money.
With the scope, prospects and rr.;s.
pcrity OF this institution our readers
have quite recently been madefamiliar,
and we need not enlarge upon them
here.
HIS POLITICAL CARRIER.
While engaged in his extensive and
absorbing business projects, Mr.. Packer
has devoted much OF his time and at
tention TO political affairs. Forseveral
years he was a member Of the State
Legislature, his service in that body
terminating in 1s43 He was then
elected judge Of the county court,
holding the position five years, and in
1853 be took his seat in the lower
house Of Congress as member from
the Thirteenth District, holding II
until 1857. During all Of this period,
as at present, he was On earnest,
thorough going, and consistent Demo
crat. When the Democratic National
Convention assembled at Tammany
Hall, in New York City, on July 4,
1868, Judge Packers name was rre-
sented to that body by the Pennsyl-
vania delegation as candidate for
the Presidential nomination. With
but slight variations he received the
vote Of his own State, during the first
fourteen ballots, ,aiter which his name
was dropped for that Of General
Hancock.