The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1875-06-19
a Historic Farm.
THE BIRTHPLACE OF GOVERNOR WILLIAE e. PACK
ERA VENERABLE MANSION AND A FAMILY
BURYING GRoUND-ANCIENT OAK THE
CHIEF BALD EAGLE.

CHIEF BALD EAGLE.
Within half mile of the borough of How
ard, on the Bald Eagle Valley railroad, fifteen
miles west of Lock Haven, attention the Of
traveller is attracted to a large farm with ex-
tensive barn and outbuildings, and a cozy
homestead of the old fashioned type, einbow-
cred in trees and shrubbery, with a beautiful
sloping lawn in front. The farm lies on the
southern slope of mountain range on the
north, with fields running down to Bald Eagle
creek, a beautiful stream large enough to be
dignifed with the title of river. Looking
south from the portico Of the homestead the
Bald Eagle mountain shuts in the view, while
the village of Howard is distinctly seen in the
foreground, with railroad trains passing up and
down the valley.
FARM WITH A HISTORY.
This farm, now so attractive, from its broad
meadows and fields of waving grain, has his
tory-a history that dates away back into the
dim past for nearly one hundred years. 1t was
here that General William F. Packer, the four
teenth governor of Pennsylvania, and during
his lifetime one of the leading and most dis
tinguished citizens Of Williamsport, was born
His grandfather, James Packer, was born at
Princeton, New Jersey, in 1925, one hundred
and fifty years ago. The father OF Governor
Packer was born in Chester county, in 1773.-
In 1890 he purchased this tract of land and
commenced to clear away the primitive forest
and carve a farm out of the wilderness. The
original tract embraced 400 acres. The old
patent, granted to Joseph Wilson, in 1859, has
the name of Miffiin attached. By him it was
conveyed to Samuel Wallis, in 1879, and by the
latter to James Packer in $780, The original
patent is now in the possession OF Mr.. John A.
Woodward, who married daughter of Gov
ernor Packer, and who, with his accomplished
wife, occupies the old farm.
VENERABLE MANSION.
Soon after James Packer located here he
erected the present mansion, married, and oc-
cupied it in 1903. The house was constructed
of logs, but many years afterwards it was plas-
tered outside, and to-day, though seventy two
years of age, it presents substantial and cosy
appearance, and bids fair to last for many
years to come
In this venerable mansion Governor Packer
was born. There four other children. At the
age of seven years his father died, leaving the
mother with family of small children, the
eldest OF which was not over ten years of age.
THE FAMILY BURYING GROUND.
The grandfather and grandmother, as we'll
as the father and mother of the governor, be-
sides numerous other descen Iants, are buried
on the farm. The graves of the venerable an
cestors are marked by rude slabs of slate which
were carved by William and Hezekiah, the
former Of whom was not over ten years of age
at that time. The inscriptions, which are quite
legible, read as follows:
James Packer
died
1905 aged 80.
In memory
of
James Packer
Who died June 3, 1913
Aged Al years.
a. r. 4
Governor Packer, died in the house where the
latter was born. And, as observed before, it is
in remarkably good state of preservation.
Some years ago this old burial ground was
visited by writer, who says: awe could
but feel, while looking at them, nat these rude
slabs of slate were more precious mementos
than the most lofty marble pillars. The plain
of mere children. Perhaps these boys were
never SO happy as when chiseling the rude
| characters to perpetuate the memory of these
| loved ones, who were quietly sleeping beneath
| their little feet"
SUCCESS OF THE BOYS.
But these boys when they grew up gave
their mother the benefit of their industry and
perseverance, and thus in early life adopted
that principal of self-reiance which so distin-
guished the future governor of Pennsylvania
The elder, Hezekiah, became judge and died
an honored citizen. plain marble shaft OF
chaste but elegant design, marks the last rest.
ing place Of the one who was called to preside
over the great state of Pennsylvania as its
chief executive officer, in the old Willamsport
cemetery. What contrast does this shaft pre-
sent to the plain slab of slate, carved by the
boy to mark the burial place of his father p
Although in humble circumstances, and buff
feted by the waves Of adversely, he struggled
on, attained wealth and fame, and became one
of the most distinguished men of his time.
AN ANCIENT OAK.
Within a short distance of this historic man
sion stands an ancient oak, which was men
toned III colonial times as a cline tree" and
though known to be more than a hundred
years old, is still green and vigorous. 1t is pos
ItIvely known that the marks of the surveyors
were cut upon it ere the lands were taken up
and yet they are distinctly visible now. All
the other trees which once surrounded it have
long since passed away, but there it stands like
sentinel and seemingly proud of the duty it
was selected to perform more than century
ago. How old it was before John Lukens and
his deputies came to mark out the land with
compass and chain is unknown, but there is
little doubt that its wide spreading branches
have more than once sheltered the brawny
chief, Bald Eagle, who dwelt few miles above,
and whose name has been perprtuated by
miniature river, a valley and bold mountain
chain which forms the southern boundary of
the West Branch valley for more than forty
miles WilAGmsport (Pa.) Bulletim
SETTLEMENT oFTHE RAILROAD DIFFICULTIES The
respective boards of directors OF the Baltimore
and Ohio and Pennsylvania railroads met in Bal
timore on Wednesday, to take action upon the
basis of agreement reached by Vice President
King on the part of the Pennsylvania, and Pres
idpnt Sr0tt Of the latter in New York on the IN
instant, The Pennsylvania railroad directors ap-
proved of the agreement, and telegraphed their
action to the Baltimore and Ohio Company,
whose directors were then in session at Camden
station. The Baltimore and Ohio directors con-
frmed and ratified the basis Of agreement, max
ing single amendment. The telegraph was
ayaed Of for the purpose of negotiating further