Packard, Winfield S.

WINFIELD

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 9/16/2019 at 13:04:17

Winfield S. Packard

(From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p.557)
WINFIELD S. PACKARD, one of the first merchants of Walnut, Iowa, has been identified with the business interests of this thriving town since its infancy. When he came to Walnut in 1872, it contained but eleven houses, and Oscar F. LODGE was the only merchant. Mr. PACKARD is descended from an old American family from Massachusetts. Gahret PACKARD, his grandfather, was born in Vermont November 15, 1775, and died November 20, 1820. He married Elmira BRITTAN in October, 1797, and she died May 15, 1830. They emigrated to Ohio in an early day, settling in Mahoning County. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and died from wounds contracted in that struggle. He was the father of eleven children, of whom the living are: Esther, Charlotte, Thomas, John, Asby D. and Gahret H. Asby D. PACKARD, the father of our subject, was born July 22, 1816, on his father's farm in Mahoning County, Ohio, and when a young man learned the trade of milling. In 1838, at the age of twenty-two, he came to Iowa and took up a claim in Johnson County and being the first settler in Hardin Township, upon which he remained until he obtained Government title. He then went back to Ohio on foot, having been on his claim two years, made a visit, and then returned. When he first came through from Ohio, he rode a pony, and at Chicago he was offered forty acres of land now in the heart of the city. April 29, 1845, he married Nancy (AKINS) MONTGOMERY, daughter of James and Martha MONTGOMERY, born near Dublin, Ireland. Her father, one of the early settlers of Iowa from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, died August 26, 1874. Mr. And Mrs. PACKARD had nine children, eight of whom lived to maturity: Winfield S., Nancy A., Charlotte, Helen A., Ida, Amerlia A., and Asby D. The father lived on his farm all his life, and died at the age of seventy-one years. He owned a fine farm of 425 acres in Johnson County, which is still in possession of the family. He laid out the town of Windham in the center of his farm. Mr. PACKARD served as Justice of the Peace for many years, and was an industrious and law-abiding citizen. The early pioneers of Iowa were men of strong constitutions and able to endure the hardships of pioneer life. They had strong minds as well as bodies, and were capable of self-government, every locality governing itself. Mr. PACKARD voted at forty elections and took an active part in all affairs relating to local government. Built a water saw-mill in 1845, and in 1855 and 56 built a steam grist and saw mill, which was a great help to the early settlers. These mills were burnt down in 1864.

Winfield S. PACKARD, the subject of this sketch, was born on the old homestead in Johnson County, Iowa, March 19, 1847, and gained the elements of his education in a log cabin, and also lived in a cabin constructed in the same manner. He early learned to work on the farm and in his father's saw and grist mill, and grew up with that best of aids to a sound constitution, a good character. He remained with his father until he was twenty-four years of age. In March 1872, he moved to Walnut and engaged in the mercantile business, in which he continued until 1881, when he was burned out. He then traveled for a grocery house in Chicago, and then, in 1884, went into the real estate and insurance business which he has since continued; he also owns a livery stable. Mr. PACKARD has been a member of the Council six years, Township Clerk six years, and Justice of the Peace two years. Politically, he is a Republican and is a man who stands high for good, upright moral character, and is well known to the citizens of this part of the country.

December 8, 1871, Mr. PACKARD was married to Miss Emily J. MYERS, daughter of Peter and Nancy (WATSON) MYERS. The father was an old settler of Iowa County, a native of Pennsylvania and of German descent. He moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio, where he was a Senator from Columbus. He was a substantial farmer, and the father of fifteen children: Mary, Elizabeth, Maria A., D. and Reside W., twins; William H., Caroline M., Jennie, Mack, Columbia, Ella, Sylester, Samuel P. and one who died in infancy. To Mr. And Mrs. PACKARD have been born three children: Ida M., deceased in infancy; Cordie M. and Gracie F.