Thomas V. Packer 1814-1898

PACKER, LINTON

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 11/30/2001 at 19:24:27

Death of Thomas V. Packer.

Thomas V. Packer was born on the 16th day of January, 1814, at Reading, Pa., where he lived with his parents, Aaron and Rebecca Packer, till he was twelve years old, when his father, on account of severe financial reverses, removed his family to Mt. Pleasant, Ohio. Here, Mr. Packer grew to manhood in the nurture and admonition of the society of Friends, his father being for more than sixty years a devoted minister in that denomination.

On April 15, 1844, at Bentleyville, Washington county, Pa., Mr. Packer was married to Margaret Linton, with whom he lived until the time of her death, less than one year ago, a wedded life of nearly fifty-three years.

In the spring of 1851, leaving all his relatives behind, he came to Iowa from Ohio and settled near Oakland Mills, Henry county, after having spent the first few months in the town of Salem. Many will still remember his heroism in nursing among the cholera-stricken people during that dreadful summer of floods and pestilence. Always fond of study, his unflagging interest in history and science placed him among the best informed upon those subjects. A strong advocate of public education, he ever considered it the only safe foundation for society; and the children of many a poor family have his generous helpfulness to thank for a chance to learn.

In 1862, he removed to the family homestead south of Salem, where his nine children grew up and went out to take their places in the world.

There were weddings and funerals in the old home, filling it with tender and sacred memories, before he left it two years ago for his latest home in the town of Salem. In the last years of his life his daughter, Annie, was his staff and comfort and ministered to his every want wit the tenderest faithfulness.

His death was hastened by a fall on Saturday, Jan. 29th, and just as the sun went down on Wednesday, Feb. 2nd, 1898, his spirit entered into the rest for which he had so longed. But two short weeks were needed to complete a lifetime of eighty-four years.

The funeral services were held at the residence at 2 o'clock on Friday afternoon, Rev. Pidgeon, of Whittier College, officiating. The four sons and two sons-in-law acted as pallbearers, and the beloved form was laid beside the dear mother in the south side cemetery, both resting beneath the same monument.

Source: Entler Scrapbook, vol. 4, Iowa Historical Library, Iowa City, IA

I am NOT related and am posting this obit for those who may find this person in their family history.