California Biographies

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


ADONIRAM J. PACKARD. For more than a quarter of a century the late Adoniram J. Packard 
was a resident of Stanislaus county, his home being near Newman, and during that time 
he was held in high respect as an industrious and enterprising citizen, an able business man, 
a kind and accommodating neighbor, and a most loving and devoted husband and father; and 
his death, which occurred May 28, 1903, was a cause of general regret. Coming from honored 
New England ancestry, he was born July 26, 1840, in Norridgewock, Somerset county, Me., and 
was there brought up and educated. 

In 1860, having previously served an apprenticeship at the blacksmith's trade, Mr. Packard 
came by way of the Isthmus of Panama to California. Settling first in Alameda county, he fol- 
lowed his trade at Haywards for nine years, and was afterwards a blacksmith at Hill's Ferry for 
two years. From there he removed to Cottonwood Grove, where he had a smithy for two 
years. In 1874 Mr. Packard came to Stanislaus county, locating at what was then called Dutch 
Corners, and, purchasing the home estate now occupied by his widow, was here prosperously- 
engaged in farming until his death. A skillful workman and an expert mechanic, he was kept 
busily employed until a few years before his death, and possessing good business tact and 
judgment, he accumulated considerable property. He at one time owned one hundred and 
twenty acres of land lying just east of Newman, but sold it prior to his decease. 

On December 1, 1874, in Merced, Cal., Mr. Packard married Miss Leonora Dougharty, who 
was born in Calhoun county, Ill., a daughter of William and Elizabeth Dougharty. A native of 
Mississippi, William Dougharty settled in Calhoun county, Ill., when a young man, living 
there until 1854, when he came with his family to Contra Costa county, Cal., journeying by 
way of Panama. In 1855 he removed to Amador county, but after mining there a short time 
at Volcano, he returned to Contra Costa county. Locating in Merced county in 1869, he took up 
land near Cottonwood, and was there engaged in farming until his death. His wife, whose maiden 
name was Elizabeth Gorham Brown, was born in Illinois, and died, in 1900, in Contra Costa 
county, Cal. 

Six children were born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Packard, namely: Maurice L., manager of 
the home place, and a mail carrier on a rural free delivery route; Lucinda May, assistant post-
master at Newman; Bertha M., wife of Alfred Eachus of Newman; Judson; Byron; and Reuel. In 
his political affiliations Mr. Packard was a stanch supporter of the principles promulgated by 
the Republican party. He belonged to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and was a faithful 
smember of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.