The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1883-02-24
Robert A, Packer Dead.

On Wednesday morning last the painful
news reached hero Of the death on Tuesday
morning last of Robert A. Packer, at his
residence, near jacksonville, Florida. Rob
ert Asa Packer, whose death is above IN
nounced, was the elder son Of the late Judge
Asa Packer, the protector Of the Lchigh
Valley Railroad. and its head until his
death in 1880. Mr.. Packer was in the
prime Of life, being about Al years old. BY
the death Of his father he succeeded to one
of the finest American estates, his income
being estimated at nearly $200,0OO per year
Mr.. Packer was born in Mauch Chunk and
lived there until few years ago, when he
removed to Bethlehem, and finally to Sayre,
Pa, where he built a paatial residence.
After attending school in his native bor
ough he went to college, but was glad to be
relieved of the tedium Of that kind Of life
to engage in active business, Returning to
Mauch Chunk, he entered the service of the
Lehigh Valley Railroad. He occupied
subordinate position, but gradually rose to
be director of the company and the Presi-
dent of the Pennsylvania and New York
Railroad, which is a part Of the Lehigh
Valley system.
AS a man Mr.. Packer was entirely differ
ent from his father. He was lively and
companiona BILE from his early boy hood and
his good nature sometimes led him to the
verge of convivisliiy. He made many
friends, not only because of this trait, but
from an extreme and spontaneous generos-
lty. He loved TO surround himself with a
party of good fellows and 90 on far West.
ern hunt, yatching excursion or Euro
pean excursion. On every such occasion bis
delight was TO look mp some handsome pres.
ent for his friends at home, and in this
kindly way he spent great deal of money.
Mr. Packer was a natural politician and
one of the most ardent Democrats in the
State Before he was Of age he took an ac-
tive interest in Carbon county politics, and
though IA e was not candidate for office un-
til much later in lie, he was always ready
with time and money to advance the inter.
ests of the Democratic ticket from Governor
to Constable. On very rare occasions he de-
parted from his custom of supporting Demo-
Gratis, notably in the great fight between
General Charles Albright and Colonel Rob
rrt Kloiz Tor Congress in the Eleventh Dis
trict, in 1878. Although Mr.. Packer lived
outside OF the district at this time he plainly
told Colonel Kloiz that he would not sup
pnrt him, aud his known views had wide
influence. Mr.. Packer occupied many
honorable positions in his party. He was
generally member of State and National
Conventions, and the State Committee. His
only appearance before the people was in
the Congressional cnntest in the Fifteenth h
District in 1850, when he was beaten by
Hon. C. C. Jadwin. The contest was Wig
orous one on Mr.. Packers part, but the dis
trict is Republican and he never had the
slightest chance Of election. II was not as a
candldnte that Mr.. Packer loved politics.
HIS delight was to assist the election OF
some other man, and he loved the excite
ment of u big camlaign,w with ITS secrets and
quiet manipulations. As an instance Of Mr.
Packers generosity in political matters, il
may be said that in the last campaign
while at Chairman Hensel's headquarters
me day, he asked as to the condition of the
more money was needed, and on his return
home he Immediately renitted his ch eek Il
Mr.. IIensel fnr $5000.
Mr.. Packer Was twice married. but he
never had any children. His first marriage
was rather romantic one. 1t was said thai
on a visit tn Connecticut he discovered ac
cidentally that some excellent bread on hii
h. SITS table was made by his first wife, and
| il WAS this circunIsta nee hat first attracted
h $ attention TO her. He shortly RiterwaId
married the lady, but IN a few years there
wss a legal separation. Mr.. Packer went tC
Europe Tor short time with a party n
friends, aud year or two afterward mar
ried the beautiful daughter oi that veteran
Bradford county granger, Colonel Victor f
P o'et He lived most happily with thii
lady, and she entertained his friends in re-
gal style at their mansion in Sayre.
| For some years past Mr.. Packers hcaltl
has been gradually falling, and while hi
death will surprise his frieuds, it was wei
known that lie would not live long. As wa
his custom, he went TO Florida early il
January to spend the winter, and there IL
his elegant tropical hn,ne, death oyertool
him. His brnther, Harry E. Packer, i
travelling in Europe, but his sister, Mis-
Mary Packer, OF Mauch Chunk, hurried I,
his bedside on receiving notice of his seri
Gus sickness, aud arrived before his death
Mr.. Packer must have lett crnsderabl
estate, though it is well known that his far
tune was the income from the trust estate @
HE father, which, after an allowance 10 tn
magnificent charities NAMED in his will,
divided among the three children. Unde
lis provisions the income will now go I
Harry E. Packer. tho President "f the lie
high Valley Railroad and Miss Mary Pack
er. The body of Mr.. Packer will be brough
North and buried ut Mauch Chunk.