Wyoming democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Wyoming Co., Pa.) 1867-1940, 1869-01-13
tFrom Hayney's IN. " Journal
ASA PACKER, OF PENNSYLVANIA.
BY. JOHN ELDERKIN.

country stithy, this valuable mineral 1t
was not until one hundred years afterward
in180S, that Judge Fell, of Wilkesbarr, first
used it in CRATE for heating his family
mansion.
As late as 1920 the mining of anthra-
cite coal may hardly be said to have begun,
for the production of that year did not ex-
ceed 365 tons, or one ton for each day
Half century later, in 1866, the annual
production has reached $4,000, ,000 tons, or
"a, 600 tons per day. A recent visitor to
the coal fields, in summing up the amazing
development of this great interest, says
Little did the toiling WAGNER who, over
rough and mountainous roads, slowly
pushed his way towards Philadelphia, with
his wagon laden with this new and ittle-un-
derstood article of fuel, realize that the
child that passed him by the roadside
would, ere his head was mantled by silver
Y locks, see a capital of more than one
hundred and fifty million dollars invested
this article to market, or that it would be-
come necessity in every household. 1t is
probably within bounds to say that i'll
mines developed and undeveloped, in mine
improvements, and in the cost of construc-
ton and equipment of water ways and rail-
ways, the anthracite trade of PENNSYLVANIA
at the present time represents property
valuation of three hundred and fifty mil
;c
enormous as are the figures, the trade
is by thinking men believed to be vet in its
infancy.
To trace the course of this Development;
how wagons were supplanted by arks arks
by canal boats canal boats by gravity rail
| roads, and those by locomotive roads, and
monuments Of engineering skill proper
tionate to the vast operations of the present
time, is impossible within the limits of this
article 1t is our purpose to glance at the
history of one individual whose life has
been mainly spent in pushing forward the
great works which have largely contributed
to this enormous growth, and indirectly to
the prosperity and comfort of millions of
| the American people.
Asa Packer was born in the township of
! GrOtOn, New London County, Connecticut,
in the beginning of the year 1906. His
| grandfather, Elisha Packer, was the most
prominent and successful business man of
! his native town.
| He was a farmer, tanner, and shoe manu-
factuer, dligentin business, and not neglect
full of those higher responsibilities which he
inherited with his puritan blood. He was
staunch member of the Baptist denomina-
ton, and worshipped in the church erected
on the site of the old Pequot Fort, still in
existence, and known as the Fort Hill
Church. His father, Elisha Packer, Jr.,
was a man of strong sense, industrious,
economical and of Independent character,
but never very successful in business. A
younger brother of his father. Daniel
| Packer, however, had a watchful eye to the
interests of his nephew, and as soon as Asa
was of age, to do something for himself,
| this Daniel Packer got him situation in
the tanuery of Mr.. Smith, of n. Stonington.
Although Asa Packer had enjoyed very Imi
ted opportunities of education, these had
enabled him to master the rudiments of
knowledge and he made every effort to i'm
prove his mind and increase his store df in
formation. By diligence, faithfunless and
good temper, the first indications of a man
| ly character, he won the confidence, and ul-
timately the affection of his employer. Des-
pite his youth he came to be regarded by
the tanner as confidential friend and ad-
wiser, and if death had not interposed and
broken the connection, Asa Packer would
probably have become partner in the es-
tablishment, and ended his life as a tanner.
| During Mr. Smiths last illness Asa was his
trusted manager, and after the hours of
business his sympathizing friend and COM
panion.
After the death of Mr.. Smith, Asa sngag-
ed himself to farmer by the name of John
Brown. This farmer was man of strong
charater and still stronger convictions. He
was Democrat of the school of Thomas
got the bias which has ever inclined his
heart and Judgment to the party which is
now known as the Democratic
After passing year with the old farmer,
summering and wintering with him, talk
ing over in the long days of labor every
subject connected with the business of far
ming, and the duties of the citizen, and
getting discipline both of body and of
mind of the most valuable kind, Asa went
back to Mystic, and spent year at home.
During this year he attended school, and
having learned the value of knowledge, he
applied himself to study, and arrived at
considerable proficiency in those branches
which are most useful in the practical af
fairs Of life.
! Like all young men of New England,
when Asa reached seventeen years of age,
! he felt that it was time for him to make a
serious effert to establish himself in the
world. At this time Pennsylvania was at