William was the first born of Amasa Packard and Lucinda (Ford) Packard. His mother was born 11 Jul 1787 in Plainfield, Massachusetts to Daniel and Hannah (Allen) Ford. When William was just five years old, his mother Lucinda died in Cummington, Mass. 05 Jan 1814. His father remarried later that year on 05 Sep 1814 to Abigail Pettingill. William worked on the farm for his father until 19 May 1831 when, at age 22, he married Mary Foster Rood, age 26. The newlyweds moved to Sand Lake, Rensselaer County, New York to begin their family and work a farm William had previously purchased.
Five years later, in 1836, they moved again, with young sons William and Alfred, to Chatham Township, Medina County, Ohio to join William’s father Amasa, step-mother Abigail, several siblings and other relatives. They bought and cleared land for farming and to operate saw mills. Daughter Mary was born shortly after the family arrived in Chatham. In 1843 his wife Mary became bed-ridden at age 39. In 1859, following the failure of one or more sawmills in Chatham, the family borrowed money to establish or buy saw milling in Allegan County, Michigan. The invalid Mary made the 300 mile trip, which followed only timber trails, while lying in a wagon bed.
William had better financial success in Michigan and was joined by several members of the Packard and Rood families. However, his wife Mary’s health finally gave out and she died 14 Jul 1863 at age 59. The following year, on 05 Sep 1864 at age 56, William remarried. His second wife was also named Mary Rood prior to their marriage. Mary (Foss) Rood, age 44, was the widow of his late wife’s nephew Marshall Rood (son of her brother Josiah F. Rood). This Mary brought two daughters to the family- Fannie (age 15, later Mrs. Lewis Vining) and Eva (age 12, later Mrs. Orlo Shattuck).
In 1869 William Packard, age 60, bought many square miles of wild land where Covert village now stands from Judge Jay Randolph Monroe, who had purchased the land in May 1839 from the United States government- two years after Michigan became a state. In 1869 the name of the settlement was Deerfield- not Covert, and the land was heavily timbered with only a few settlers, hunters and trappers, many living in log houses. In 1869 the Packard Lumber Company (William Packard, sons William O. and Alfred S.) along with step brother Josiah Packard, nephew Edward A. Rood, other relatives and employees moved the saw mills about 20 miles south from Glenn to the area of Covert. Several new houses, a company store, large horse barns and mills were built at Covert, at Ludwig’s pier and at the North Mill.
The “History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties” published in 1880 describes William as a “staunch Republican” in politics and indicates he held various township positions, both in Chatham and Covert. He was twice chosen to the Michigan legislature from Allegan County. It continues: “Since he settled in Michigan, Mr. Packard has, in the company of his sons, been extensively engaged in the lumber business, their possessions at one time including upwards of four thousand five hundred acres of timber, with four sawmills in full operation.”
The Congregational Church at Covert was organized 27 Sep 1870. The original 20 members included William Packard, his second wife Mary, his widowed son Alfred, his brother Josiah, Josiah’s wife Elizabeth, three of Josiah’s children, William’s nephews Edward and Thaddeus Rood along with their wives plus eight other friends. His second wife Mary (Foss) Packard died at age 55 on 25 Aug 1875. About one year later, on 19 Sep 1876, William, age 68, married his third wife Josephine Seymour, age 28. That marriage was blessed with one child, Ruth Celestia Packard, born 05 Oct 1879. William died just over two years later, age 73.
Five years later, in 1836, they moved again, with young sons William and Alfred, to Chatham Township, Medina County, Ohio to join William’s father Amasa, step-mother Abigail, several siblings and other relatives. They bought and cleared land for farming and to operate saw mills. Daughter Mary was born shortly after the family arrived in Chatham. In 1843 his wife Mary became bed-ridden at age 39. In 1859, following the failure of one or more sawmills in Chatham, the family borrowed money to establish or buy saw milling in Allegan County, Michigan. The invalid Mary made the 300 mile trip, which followed only timber trails, while lying in a wagon bed.
William had better financial success in Michigan and was joined by several members of the Packard and Rood families. However, his wife Mary’s health finally gave out and she died 14 Jul 1863 at age 59. The following year, on 05 Sep 1864 at age 56, William remarried. His second wife was also named Mary Rood prior to their marriage. Mary (Foss) Rood, age 44, was the widow of his late wife’s nephew Marshall Rood (son of her brother Josiah F. Rood). This Mary brought two daughters to the family- Fannie (age 15, later Mrs. Lewis Vining) and Eva (age 12, later Mrs. Orlo Shattuck).
In 1869 William Packard, age 60, bought many square miles of wild land where Covert village now stands from Judge Jay Randolph Monroe, who had purchased the land in May 1839 from the United States government- two years after Michigan became a state. In 1869 the name of the settlement was Deerfield- not Covert, and the land was heavily timbered with only a few settlers, hunters and trappers, many living in log houses. In 1869 the Packard Lumber Company (William Packard, sons William O. and Alfred S.) along with step brother Josiah Packard, nephew Edward A. Rood, other relatives and employees moved the saw mills about 20 miles south from Glenn to the area of Covert. Several new houses, a company store, large horse barns and mills were built at Covert, at Ludwig’s pier and at the North Mill.
The “History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties” published in 1880 describes William as a “staunch Republican” in politics and indicates he held various township positions, both in Chatham and Covert. He was twice chosen to the Michigan legislature from Allegan County. It continues: “Since he settled in Michigan, Mr. Packard has, in the company of his sons, been extensively engaged in the lumber business, their possessions at one time including upwards of four thousand five hundred acres of timber, with four sawmills in full operation.”
The Congregational Church at Covert was organized 27 Sep 1870. The original 20 members included William Packard, his second wife Mary, his widowed son Alfred, his brother Josiah, Josiah’s wife Elizabeth, three of Josiah’s children, William’s nephews Edward and Thaddeus Rood along with their wives plus eight other friends. His second wife Mary (Foss) Packard died at age 55 on 25 Aug 1875. About one year later, on 19 Sep 1876, William, age 68, married his third wife Josephine Seymour, age 28. That marriage was blessed with one child, Ruth Celestia Packard, born 05 Oct 1879. William died just over two years later, age 73.
William was the first born of Amasa Packard and Lucinda (Ford) Packard. His mother was born 11 Jul 1787 in Plainfield, Massachusetts to Daniel and Hannah (Allen) Ford. When William was just five years old, his mother Lucinda died in Cummington, Mass. 05 Jan 1814. His father remarried later that year on 05 Sep 1814 to Abigail Pettingill. William worked on the farm for his father until 19 May 1831 when, at age 22, he married Mary Foster Rood, age 26. The newlyweds moved to Sand Lake, Rensselaer County, New York to begin their family and work a farm William had previously purchased.
Five years later, in 1836, they moved again, with young sons William and Alfred, to Chatham Township, Medina County, Ohio to join William’s father Amasa, step-mother Abigail, several siblings and other relatives. They bought and cleared land for farming and to operate saw mills. Daughter Mary was born shortly after the family arrived in Chatham. In 1843 his wife Mary became bed-ridden at age 39. In 1859, following the failure of one or more sawmills in Chatham, the family borrowed money to establish or buy saw milling in Allegan County, Michigan. The invalid Mary made the 300 mile trip, which followed only timber trails, while lying in a wagon bed.
William had better financial success in Michigan and was joined by several members of the Packard and Rood families. However, his wife Mary’s health finally gave out and she died 14 Jul 1863 at age 59. The following year, on 05 Sep 1864 at age 56, William remarried. His second wife was also named Mary Rood prior to their marriage. Mary (Foss) Rood, age 44, was the widow of his late wife’s nephew Marshall Rood (son of her brother Josiah F. Rood). This Mary brought two daughters to the family- Fannie (age 15, later Mrs. Lewis Vining) and Eva (age 12, later Mrs. Orlo Shattuck).
In 1869 William Packard, age 60, bought many square miles of wild land where Covert village now stands from Judge Jay Randolph Monroe, who had purchased the land in May 1839 from the United States government- two years after Michigan became a state. In 1869 the name of the settlement was Deerfield- not Covert, and the land was heavily timbered with only a few settlers, hunters and trappers, many living in log houses. In 1869 the Packard Lumber Company (William Packard, sons William O. and Alfred S.) along with step brother Josiah Packard, nephew Edward A. Rood, other relatives and employees moved the saw mills about 20 miles south from Glenn to the area of Covert. Several new houses, a company store, large horse barns and mills were built at Covert, at Ludwig’s pier and at the North Mill.
The “History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties” published in 1880 describes William as a “staunch Republican” in politics and indicates he held various township positions, both in Chatham and Covert. He was twice chosen to the Michigan legislature from Allegan County. It continues: “Since he settled in Michigan, Mr. Packard has, in the company of his sons, been extensively engaged in the lumber business, their possessions at one time including upwards of four thousand five hundred acres of timber, with four sawmills in full operation.”
The Congregational Church at Covert was organized 27 Sep 1870. The original 20 members included William Packard, his second wife Mary, his widowed son Alfred, his brother Josiah, Josiah’s wife Elizabeth, three of Josiah’s children, William’s nephews Edward and Thaddeus Rood along with their wives plus eight other friends. His second wife Mary (Foss) Packard died at age 55 on 25 Aug 1875. About one year later, on 19 Sep 1876, William, age 68, married his third wife Josephine Seymour, age 28. That marriage was blessed with one child, Ruth Celestia Packard, born 05 Oct 1879. William died just over two years later, age 73.
Five years later, in 1836, they moved again, with young sons William and Alfred, to Chatham Township, Medina County, Ohio to join William’s father Amasa, step-mother Abigail, several siblings and other relatives. They bought and cleared land for farming and to operate saw mills. Daughter Mary was born shortly after the family arrived in Chatham. In 1843 his wife Mary became bed-ridden at age 39. In 1859, following the failure of one or more sawmills in Chatham, the family borrowed money to establish or buy saw milling in Allegan County, Michigan. The invalid Mary made the 300 mile trip, which followed only timber trails, while lying in a wagon bed.
William had better financial success in Michigan and was joined by several members of the Packard and Rood families. However, his wife Mary’s health finally gave out and she died 14 Jul 1863 at age 59. The following year, on 05 Sep 1864 at age 56, William remarried. His second wife was also named Mary Rood prior to their marriage. Mary (Foss) Rood, age 44, was the widow of his late wife’s nephew Marshall Rood (son of her brother Josiah F. Rood). This Mary brought two daughters to the family- Fannie (age 15, later Mrs. Lewis Vining) and Eva (age 12, later Mrs. Orlo Shattuck).
In 1869 William Packard, age 60, bought many square miles of wild land where Covert village now stands from Judge Jay Randolph Monroe, who had purchased the land in May 1839 from the United States government- two years after Michigan became a state. In 1869 the name of the settlement was Deerfield- not Covert, and the land was heavily timbered with only a few settlers, hunters and trappers, many living in log houses. In 1869 the Packard Lumber Company (William Packard, sons William O. and Alfred S.) along with step brother Josiah Packard, nephew Edward A. Rood, other relatives and employees moved the saw mills about 20 miles south from Glenn to the area of Covert. Several new houses, a company store, large horse barns and mills were built at Covert, at Ludwig’s pier and at the North Mill.
The “History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties” published in 1880 describes William as a “staunch Republican” in politics and indicates he held various township positions, both in Chatham and Covert. He was twice chosen to the Michigan legislature from Allegan County. It continues: “Since he settled in Michigan, Mr. Packard has, in the company of his sons, been extensively engaged in the lumber business, their possessions at one time including upwards of four thousand five hundred acres of timber, with four sawmills in full operation.”
The Congregational Church at Covert was organized 27 Sep 1870. The original 20 members included William Packard, his second wife Mary, his widowed son Alfred, his brother Josiah, Josiah’s wife Elizabeth, three of Josiah’s children, William’s nephews Edward and Thaddeus Rood along with their wives plus eight other friends. His second wife Mary (Foss) Packard died at age 55 on 25 Aug 1875. About one year later, on 19 Sep 1876, William, age 68, married his third wife Josephine Seymour, age 28. That marriage was blessed with one child, Ruth Celestia Packard, born 05 Oct 1879. William died just over two years later, age 73.
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