The south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1879-1883, 1879-06-17
the SOUTH KENTUCKIAN.
OFFICE. Bridge ST., bet. Main and Rirer
HOPKINSVILLE, KY
asa Packer.


lscientihc Americana
Judge Asa Packer, President of tho
Lchigh Valley Railroad Company
and founder of the Lehigh Universe
", died at Philadelphia Saturday,
May q. Hew born in New Lon
don county, Conn.,, December ~,
1905, and at the age Of seventeen,
with no Inheritance save a sound
frame, an earnest purpose, and ster-
ling character, set out TO make his
way in the world. He journeyci on
foot to Susquehanna county, IA,
whore he apprcnliced himself to a
carpenter. When master his trade
he married, and spent a number Of
years farming piece CT land owned
by his wife's father. firing of that
occupation, the young couple re-
moved 10 Mauch Chunk, where Mr..
Packer took command ola canal boat,
ana engaged in the business of trans
porting coal. In couple Of years
he was able to build himself a boat
and enter into profitable partner
ship with his brother In lS40-43,
lie and his brother were building
loats at Pottsville TO carry Goals 10
New York by. the Schnylkill naviga-.
ton system. Later, Mr.. Packer took
up the double enterprise of mining
as well rs transporting coal
In 1852 he began the gigantic nm
dertaking of building the Lehigh
Valley Railroad, which was finished
in 1855, and, with its branches,
opened up the entire anthracite re-
gion of Pennsylvania. AS Mr.. Pack
or had foreseen, the railway at once
gave an enormous impetus to the
coal mining business, and developed
other interests and industries pro-
portionally, adding greatly to the
prosperity and wealth Of the State.
While carrying OIL these vast mate.
rial undertakings Mr.. Packer found
time to carry on constantly the stnd-
les which he began in the evenings
while learning his trade, and to rem
der excellent service 10 mis- State and
the nation in judicial and legislative
capacity. His judicial capacity was
acquired by service as county judge.
In 1874 he was elected to the State
Legislature, and in 1852 was sent 10
Congress, where he served two terms.
In his business career Mr.. Packer
acquired great wealth and used II
most creditably, He gave mmifi-
Gently and steadily TO charitable, re-
ligious, and educational objects.
browning his life-work by the estab-
lishmcnt and liberal endowment OF
the Lehigh University, all institution
designed with special reference 10
the needs Of young men preparing &c
undertake the great 'uining, manu-,
featuring, and other material inter
ests of the country. In its course o
studies the chief places are assigned
TO civil, mining, and mechanical en-
gineering and other departments o
practical aud industrial science. Tt
The endowment of this institution
Mr.. Packer gave in all upwards o
100000.
Mr.. Packers personal life wa
marked by exceptional gentleness
kindness, simplicity. and sincerity
He made many friends and retained
them to the end. His entire careel
eNemplifed not only the highest typ
ofsuccess in personal and praciica
affairs, but paid the highest tribute t,
the Institutions under which he lived
which made it possible for one, with
ons wealth or family influeneeto be
gin with, TO gain great wealth b,
honorable means, to benefit his az
and country, and 10 leave behindhin
monuments that must make his lif
grandly productive through man
generations. si-ee
Some years ago, at o meeting q
eminent Pennsylvanians, Colonel !
w. Forney pronounced an eloquer
tribute TO Mr.. Packers life and chaI
acter, worthy ofrecalling at this tint
III it he said:
"Here is a character for youth an
manhood 10 study. Here is a lssso
10 the one TO move Oh in the path {
Improvement, and q stimulant to II
other never to despair in the da rkc
hour Of disaster and misfortune. W
pick out Asa Packer as the min,
picks out piece Of coal to show q
value of the precious deposit fro
which il is taken; we pick him out
show what can be won by person
honesty, industry, and Kindness
men; by courage in the midst of bi
luck, by confidence in the midst
gloomy prophecy, by modesty
prosperity, and by princely genera
ity when fortune comes with DO
hands full to realize o Just ambitio
Mr.. Packers whole career exemp
fies the truth that in the Unit
States there Is no distinction to viii
any young man may not attain. VIII
he set out from Mystic, Conn,
make the journey TO Pennsylvania
foot it is not probable that his emit
worldly possessions amounted TO s.
These passions are estimated at 50
100000, all Of which has been nc,
mul0ted en- for no luoup With,