Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1869-07-28
HON. ASA PACKER.
MS EARLY LIFE AND PIONEER ExrERI.
ENcE.
c. E. BrNAS, Secretary.

HIS EARLY LIFE AND PIONEER ExPERI-
ENcE.
Asa Packer was born in Groton
township, New London county, Con-
necticut, in the early part of the year
1910. His father is SAID 10 be man
of strong sense, industrious, economi-
cal and independent in character, yet
never very successful in business, al
though his grandfather had been the
most prosperous man 10 his native
town, carrying on the business Of farm.
ing, tanning and manufacturing OF
shoes at one and the same time. The
limiscd means OF his parents, together
with the lack of opportunities ia the
neighborhood, prevented him from
acquiring much of an education, but
he made the best Of his time when the
district school was IT, session during
the winter. As soon as he was old
and stout enough TO work, be obtained
situation in a tanncry at North
Stonington, where be remained until
the death Of the proprietor, who had
rcposed the utmost confidence in his
business capacity and integrity. A
year was then passed upon the farm
Of John Brown, otherwise unknown
10 fame. Mr.. Brown was an old-iash-
ioned anii.federalist politician, ard
from Judge Packers early associations
with him his enthusiastic biographers
have traced his present Democratic
affiliations A year at home then
intervened, during which he attended
school; and at the end OF il, being at
that time scarcely seventeen years OF
age and an orphan, he was ready 10
start out into the world.
In 1922 he arrived in Susquehanna
county. Pennsylvania, with bis entire
outfit contained in the knspsack which
he carried on bis back. lie appren-
ticed himself to carpenter, and fixed
his residence at Springville. As soon
as be had completed bis apprenticeship
and become possessed of some means
Of his own, he purchased small LOT
Of wild land on the upper waters Of
the Susquchanna, and settled down
upon il.
MS REMOVAL TO THE LEHlGH VALLEY
When be abandoned his farm, il
1888, the country round about had
assumed somewhat different aspect
In the wilderness he had built up .
comfortable home; but during the id,
winters be had frequently journeyed
a hundred miles on foot, through tho
rugged country which stretches be
tween the Susquehanna and the lie
high, 10 the nearest point where hii
labor would command a ready cash
reward. The evidences Of exhaustlcsi
wealth which were just being devel
oped in the Lehigh valley impressed
him with the belief that a change O
residence TO this locality would affors
a wider and more profitable field fol
his labor. Accordingly, at the age o
twenty seven. he again transferred BIZ
home, and settled permanently IN th,
Lehigh Valley, with a capital Of but I
few hundred dollars TO start with
During the summers Of 1888 and 1888
he acted as master OF his own boat
while engaged in Transporting coa
/ from Mauch Chunk 10 Philadelphia
He displayed 50 much energy AT ih
very outset, that he soon attracteI
the notice OF tho managers OF III
Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company
and was enabled TO associate himsel
with them on very advantageous terms
His success and prospects were >
encouraging that his brother, r. W
) Packer, was persuaded TO leave Con
. neciicnt, aud, aided materially by a.
uncle, they established themselves i
the general mcrchandisc business j
Maueh Chunk, in 1885. Starting wit
I cash capital Of only 5000, thei
business was rapidly extended. unit
r IL embraced mol Only the ordinar
! mercantile transactions, but the bulk
. ing Of dams and locke for the L.ehig
} Coal and Navigation Company. n
working Of coal mines leased from th
D company. and finally the working {
+ NJ. Prckef's ovp mines rsay Has