Handbook N-P - Fulton County Public Library

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FULTON COUNTY, INDIANA
HANDBOOK
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PACKARD, IRA [Macy, Allen Township, Miami County, Indiana]
BIOGRAPHY
Ira Packard, one of the old residents of this county, was born in Massachusetts October
28, 1817. He was the oldest son born to Chester and Eunice (Sadler) Packard, both natives of
Massachusetts, of English descent. The great-grandfather of Chester Packard emigrated from
England to America and located at Bridgewater, Mass. To him all persons in this country by that
name may trace their descent. In 1833 our subject accompanied his father to Licking County,
Ohio, where he grew up to manhood working upon a farm. In 1842 he came to this county and
located in Union, now Allen Township. In February 1872 he located in the town of Macy, where
he has since rsided. He learned he carpenter’s trade early in life and this has been his chief
occpation ever since. He, however, taught school some during his earlier life, and a portion of his
attention has been given to agricultural pursuits. March 12, 1840, he was united in marriage to
Eliza J. Bryant, a native of Licking County, Ohio, born of German and Scotch-Irish parents, June
15, 1820. She was the daughter of Charles and Nancy (Mesearvy) Bryant, both natives of Maine.
Mr. and Mrs. Packard are the parents of eleven children, eight of whom are living: Charles C.,
Thomas J., Nancy E., Bryant W., Noah S., Franklin P., Silas E., Ira B., Laura B., Nels on S., and
Sumner D. Of these Thomas J., Noah S. and Nelson S. are deceased. Mrs. Packard is a member
of the Christian church. Politically, Mr. Packard is a Democrat. He has been honored with the
office of Justice of the Peace two terms, and the office of Constable two and one-half terms. As
such he discharged his duties in a creditable manner. He has now been a resident of Miami
County over forty-four years, and is one of her most highly respected citizens.
[History of Miami County, Indiana, 1887, Brant & Fuller. p. 528]
PACKER, FREDERICK B. [Richland Township]
BIOGRAPHY
On the 22d of November, 1790, a son was born to one of the Revolutionary soldiers,
whom he named John Packer. He received a limited education in his native State of Pennsylvania,
and in about 1812 or 1813 was united in marriage to Elizabeth Brutzman, whose father also saw
service in the Revolution. They located in Northampton County, Penn., whence they removed, in
1833, to Perry County, Ohio, where Mrs. Packer died February 19, 1849, having been preceded by
her husband nearly fourteen years. They were the parents of eight children, of whom Frederick,
the subject of this sketch, was the first, born in Northampton County, Penn., December 6, 1813.
Mr. Packer had but little opportunity to receive an education, hence he terms it common or
limited. In 1833, he removed with his parents to Perry County, Ohio, where, in June, 1836, he
was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Long, of German lineage, and a native of