SILAS PACKARD.
For seventy-three years Silas Packard has been a resident of Decatur - a
record perhaps paralleled by that of no other citizen here. The little village
in which his boyhood days were passed has developed into a city of metropolitan
proportions and advantages, being among the largest in the state and with
its improvement. Mr. Packard has kept abreast, always maintaining a place
among its leading business men until today he is accounted one of its most
prominent capitalists. He early had the sagacity and prescience to discern
the eminence which the future had in store for this great and growing country
and acting in accordance with the dictates of his faith and judgment, he
has garnered in the fullness of time a generous harvest which is the just
recompense of indomitable industry, spot less integrity and marvelous enterprise.
Silas Packard claims Vermont as the state of his nativity, his birth having
occurred there on the 15th of April, 1829, but when he was only about a year
and a half old he was brought to Decatur, Illinois, by his parents, Silas
and Lydia (Tracey) Packard, the former a native of the Green Mountain state,
while the latter was born in Massachusetts. The family was of English extraction.
Silas Packard, Sr., was a farmer by occupation, but he was not long permitted
to engage in that pursuit here or to enjoy his new home for in the fall of
1830 he was called to his final rest. Upon his widow devolved the care of
a large family of children, namely: Charles, Anson, Edward, Mason, Marietta,
Elizabeth and Silas.
Decatur was at that time a mere village and its advantages were proportionate
to its size and importance. The public-school system had not been established
and Silas Packard, the subject of this review, pursued his education in a
subscription school. As the family was left in somewhat straitened circumstances
it was necessary that he early provide for his own support and for five years
he was employed as a farm hand. Then attracted by the possibilities for the
rapid acquirement of wealth in the far west, owing to the discovery of gold
in California, he resolved to seek a fortune on the Pacific coast and in
1850 purchased a team and started with a company of twenty three wagons from
the present site of the Transfer House on West Main street, Decatur. They
crossed the plains and made their way through the mountains of the west until
they reached the mines. Such a trip was fraught with many hardships, but
it also brought much valuable experience and knowledge to the young man,
making him realize the responsibilities of life and the difficulties incident
to a successful business career. It taught him that there is no royal road
to wealth, but that perseverance and energy are the surest basis of prosperity.
In California he engaged in gulch mining and was fairly successful so that
he brought with him upon his return to Decatur enough capital to enable him
to embark upon an independent business career. It was in 1855 that Mr. Packard
again reached this city. Establishing a lumber yard, he continued its conduct
for several years and was afterward in the hardware business, while at the
same time he carried on agricultural pursuits, having purchased a tract of
land, to the development and improvement of which he gave his personal
supervision. He became a dry-goods merchant of Decatur, continuing his operations
in real estate through the purchase and sale of farms and as his financial
resources in creased he became a factor in the banking interests of Decatur.
His greatest success, however, has been achieved through his operations in
realty. His purchases have been very carefully made and thus he has been
enabled to realize a good profit when disposing of his landed interests.
For sixty-two years he was the owner of the eighty acre tract of land
constituting Riverside Park. A part of this has been platted and laid out
into town lots and substantially and attractively improved.
In 1856 was celebrated the marriage of Silas Packard and Miss Mary Sawyer,
a native resident of Decatur and a daughter of John and Eliza (Ketring) Sawyer,
who were numbered among the pioneer settlers here, coming from Pennsylvania
to this city in the year 1836. Mr. and Mrs. Packard have had no children
of their own, but reared an adopted daughter, who is now the wife of Robert
I. Hunt, a prominent business man of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Packard have
a beautiful home in one of the finest residence districts of Decatur and
its gracious hospitality has been enjoyed by a circle of friends that is
constantly increasing. Both are members of the Methodist Episcopal church
and its work has received their co-operation and also generous and financial
support.
Mr. Packard votes with the Republican party and has ever been firm in his
advocacy of its principles, but political honors and emoluments have had
no attraction for him as he has preferred to give his time and attention
to his business affairs. He began life as a farm hand and now stands among
the capitalists of Decatur. Such a history should serve as a source of
encouragement and inspiration to others, proving as it does the potency of
industry in the active affairs of life. He has always been willing to devote
his wealth and his energies to any feasible undertaking that would increase
the prosperity of the city and add to the comfort of its inhabitants. His
life has been a success. He has accumulated a large fortune and has used
only such means as will bear the closest scrutiny. He has bestowed on worthy
causes large sums of money, and uses his fortune to the advantage of the
community as well as to his own profit. To such men as he is the development
of the west due. He has for nearly forty years been an active factor in advancing
the city of Decatur, and during that entire time has so conducted all of
his affairs as to command the esteem, confidence and respect of all classes.
Personally he is sociable, ever willing to accord to anyone the courtesy
of an interview. Although a man of great wealth, he is unostentatious in
a marked degree, and in this age, when anarchistic and socialistic doctrines
are inflaming the masses, the demeanor and actions of such men as he do more
to quench the fire of envy and malice than all other means combined.
Mr. Packard's actions have during his life been such as to distinctively
entitle him to a place in this publication, and although his career has not
been filled with thrilling incidents, probably no biography published in
this book can serve as a better illustration to young men of the power of
honesty and integrity in insuring success.
Past and present of the City of Decatur and Macon County Illinois. 1903.
Chicago: S. J. Clarke Pub. Co. p. 167. Transcribed by Judy Rosella Edwards.
R. H. Park, Sixteenth County Treasurer. -- Mr. Park was born November 11,
1833, in Madison County, Kentucky; came to Illinois, March, 1861; settled
in Macon County; was elected treasurer in 1873, and served two years.
Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization
to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 56. Transcribed and
annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards.
NINIAN PEDDECORD [sic] was born In Montgomery County, Maryland, and removed
to Macon County In 1836, where he engaged as a clerk for Adamson & Prather.
He afterwards formed a copartnership with Joseph Stickel. He was clerk of
the circuit court from 1840 to 1847, after which he went to Missouri, and
thence to Clinton, Iowa, where he died about 1870. He married a daughter
of John Stickel.
Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization
to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 274. Transcribed and
annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards.
N. W. Peddicord, Third Circuit Clerk. -- Mr. Peddicord was born in Montgomery
County, Maryland, and removed to Macon County in 1836, where he engaged as
a clerk for Adamson & Prather, and afterwards formed a co-partnership
with Joseph Stickel in merchandising. He was appointed clerk of the circuit
court to succeed Mr. Gorin, in 1840, and served in that capacity until 1847,
and was also clerk of the County court from 1840 to 1846. He removed from
Macon County and became a resident of Missouri, California and Iowa. He died
in the latter state about 1870.
Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization
to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 51. Transcribed and
annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards.
JASPER J. PEDDICORD [sic] was born November 8, 1818, in Montgomery County,
Maryland, and came to Macon County in June, 1838. He married Ophelia W. Adamson,
sister of Senator R.J. Oglesby, August 30, 1843. Her first husband was John
S. Adamson, who died in 1840.
Mr. P. for a number of years was engaged in merchandising, with Joseph Stickel,
and afterwards with Hosea Armstrong. In 1853 he formed a copartnership with
Lowber Burrows, in the banking business, besides engaging to a large extent
in manufacturing.
Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization
to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 274. Transcribed and
annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards.
DEMPSEY POPE was born in North Carolina, and removed thence to Tennessee,
and thence to this county, in 1827, and settled on Mosquito Creek. He married
in North Carolina, Sarah Edwards, who was born in 1794 and died 1874. Mr.
P. died in 1853 or '4. Their children were --Martha, Mary, Tabitha, Elizabeth,
WIlliam, Leacy J., Sarah, James, WIllis Zachariah, Penelope and Matilda.
Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization
to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 274. Transcribed and
annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards.
Capt. JOEL S. POST was born in the town of Ontario, in what is now Wayne
County, New York, April 27, 1816. In 1828 his father removed to Washtinaw
County, Michigan [ed., Washtenaw County, Michigan] territory, where he remained
until the subject of this sketch was 23 years old.
In 1839 Mr. Post removed to Macon County; and commenced the study of law
under the late Judge Emerson in 1840; was admitted to the bar in 1841, and
entered into the practice at Decatur, where he has since remained, being
now the oldest practitioner of the Macon County bar.
In 1846 Mr. P. enlisted in the service for the Mexican war and was appointed
quartermaster with the rank of captain. In 1856 he was elected to represent
the senatorial district including Macon and other counties, in the State
Senate, and served two sessions. During this term of service he was mainly
instrumental in securing the passage of a law establishing the Normal University,
at Normal, Illinois [ed., Illinois State University].
Mr. Post married Sally Ann Bunn, the oldest daughter of Rev. D. P. Bunn,
in November, 1853. She was born in Ross County, Ohio, in 1833. Of their children
--Bunn was born in 1856. Hellen was born in 1859.
It is proper in this connection to say, that in the preparation of this work,
we have been materially aided and assisted by Captain Post. He has taken
more interest in this effort by which something might be placed in a permanent
shape, of the early history of the county, than any other person.
Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization
to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 274. Transcribed and
annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards.
DANIEL K. POUND and Lucinda R. Davidson were married, November 22, 1842 --
(See Purdue). He died August 10, 1875. Of their children --D. K., Jr. was
born January 12, 1845; married April 29, 1866. J. B. was born March 26, 1859;
died March 15, 1850. M. H. was born July 10, 1850; married W. M. Purdue,
March, 1868.
Mrs. P. married Aaron Widick, January 22, 1858. Of their children --Larkin
W., born January 23, 1850. Aaron K., born August 7, 1860.
Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization
to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 274. Transcribed and
annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards
GEO. POWERS was born in Charleston, Saratoga County, N. Y., January 17, 1814;
was married to Almira A. Giles, in Alabama, April 30, 1840, who was born
in Franklin County, Mass. They removed to Macon County in 1839. He was admitted
to the bar soon after his arrival, and was elected to the State Senate in
1844. He held other offices of trust and responsibility, and died in 1849,
leaving three daughters:Emma, who married John K. Warren; Sarah A., who married
Geo. S. Durfee, and Ada, who married E. D. Bartholomew.
Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization
to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 267. Transcribed and
annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards.
HENRY PRATHER was born November 26, 1802, in Montgomery County, Maryland,
and removed to this state in 1836, and settled in Macoupin County. His first
wife was a Miss Ratcliff, whom he married before leaving Maryland, who died
in Macoupin County. He came to Macon County in 1837, and in 1838 married
Amanda Oglesby, who still resides in Decatur. He was kIlled accidently by
being thrown from a buggy in 1869.
He was an honest, upright citizen, prominently connected with all the public
enterprises tending to advance the interests of Macon County and the city
of Decatur. He was public spirited, and nothing calculated to advance the
material prosperity of the city or county escaped his earnest solicitation
and support in both means and influence. He was a member of the legislature
in 1852. He left no children. A fond recollection in the hearts of the people
with whom he associated wIll last during their lives.
Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization
to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 297. Transcribed and
annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards.
William Prather, Sixth County Judge. -- Mr. P. was born in Maryland about
the year 1806, and died on the twenty-ninth day of August, 1870. He was appointed
circuit clerk in 1847, and elected to the same office in 1848, and re-elected
in 1852. In 1850 he was elected county judge, and retained that position
until 1856. He always had very infirm health.
Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization
to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 50.
Gen. ISAAC C. PUGH was born November 23, 1805, in Christian County, Ky. He
came to Illinois in 1821, and settled with his father's family in Shelby
County, where he remained until 1829, when he came to Macon County; resided
here until his death, which occurred November 19, 1874. He was married to
Elvira E. Gorin, August 2, 1831, who was born in Todd County, Ky., December
17, 1814, and came to Illinois in 1829, and to Macon County in 1831. Of their
eleven children, five died in infancy -- Maria M. was born June 4, 1832,
and married to J. Milton Lowry, February 17, 1852. John H. was born December
30, 1838, and married Sophia Wood, May 39, 1862. Bartley G. was born April
22, 1841; married Mary C. Rohrer, September 3, 1862. Isaac R. was born January
28, 1843; married Nellie M. Upton, June 21, 1867. He died July 20, 1868.
Venitin Isabel was born March 11, 1846; married Perry B. Gilham, September
26, 1865. Almira H. was born March 23, 1851; married John C. Mark, June 20,
1874.
Gen. Pugh has been prominently connected with all the important affairs of
the county, and took a lively interest in everything calculated to advance
the interest of the city and county. He was in the Black Hawk war, and served
as Captain at the time of StIllman's defeat. He was also Captain of Co. C,
in the Mexican war, and took a prominent and active part in the late war.
He was Colonel of the 41st regiment, in the late war, and was promoted to
the grade of Brig. General for meritorious conduct.
In 1865 he was elected clerk of the county court, and served for four years,
and held other positions of trust during his long residence in the county,
and always, whether in office or as a private citizen, was where duty called
him. He was kind hearted, affectionate, and in all respects upright and
honorable.
Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization
to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 275. Transcribed and
annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards.
JOSHUA G. PURDEW was born in Montgomery County, Tennessee, March 1, 1811,
and moved to Macon County in 1832; was married to Margaret Ward, who was
born in Tennessee January 11, 1814; she died in 1862. Of their children --
Mary E., born May 1, 1835; married W. A. Wilson. Pheriba A., born October
5, 1836. John B., born March 27, 1838; married M. A. Frazee; died March 27,
1863. Nancy A., born October 30, 1841; married John Neyhard; died March 31,
1861. WIlliam M., born October 30, 1841; married M. H. Pound. Joel T., born
December 12, 1843; died March, 1863. James Y., born May 12, 1845. Wilson
S., born February 3, 1847. America M., born November 21, 1848. Joshua L.,
born April 26, 1850. Lewis M., born July 28, 1854.
Mr. P. married a second time, to Mrs. Lucinda P. Widick, who was born in
Wayne County, Illinois, August 1, 1825. Her first husband was Daniel K. Pound.
(See Pound,)
Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization
to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 273. Transcribed and
annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards.
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