Harlan P. Packard Biography


	This biography is from "Memorial and biographical record; an illustrated
 	compendium of biography, containing a compendium of local biography,
	including biographical sketches of prominent old settlers and 
	representative citizens of South Dakota..." Published by G. A. Ogle & 
	Co., Chicago, 1899. Pages 326-329

	Scan, OCR and editing by Maurice Krueger,mkrueger@iw.net, 1998. 

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HON. HARLAN P. PACKARD, secretary and general business manager of the 
Merchants Mutual Insurance Company, and also mayor of the city of 
Redfield, needs no introduction to the people of South Dakota. He has 
been the central figure in so many public enterprises, that to become 
familiar with Dakota's history means to become familiar with this 
gentleman. His friends throughout central South Dakota will be pleased 
to find his portrait in connection with this sketch. 

Mr. Packard was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, June 2, 1845. 
When he was but two years of age his father, Hiram Packard, died, 
leaving his wife and three young children without means. Our subject 
enjoyed the privilege of a home with his mother up to his seventh year, 
and was then taken by relatives; after which time he was supposed to 
pay in work for his livelihood. He entered the Potsdam Academy in 1861; 
and in the fall of 1863 his studies were interrupted to clerk in a 
store. For his ambitious nature this was too quiet a life and he 
enlisted in Company B, Fiftieth New York Engineers, in August, 1864. He 
was sent direct to the works before Petersburg, and soon joined in the 
skirmishes along the Weldon Railroad, and the Richmond campaign, to the 
surrender at Appomatox Court House. After the Grand Review at 
Washington he was discharged at Elmyra, New York. He located in 
Ogdensburg, New York, and was engaged in clerking for two years, and 
then moved to Winona, and about 1 868 established a general merchandise 
business at Janesville, Minnesota. He went to the James river in Dakota 
in 1878, and upon his return disposed of his business interests and in 
the spring of 1881, located in Redfield and established the pioneer 
general store of the city. This business he sold in 1888 and for 
several years dealt in real estate. In 1894, after piloting a bill 
through the legislature making it possible, he organized the Merchants 
Mutual Insurance Company, which insures all city property within the 
state of South Dakota. 

Our subject was married in 1872 to Miss Hattie B. Lee. His wife passed 
away in 1873, leaving a daughter, Hattie L., now deceased. Mr. Packard 
was again married in 1875, Miss Mary E. Wentworth, of Janesville, 
becoming his wife. Mr. and Mrs. Packard are the parents of seven 
children, named as follows: Lula, deceased; Harlan C., a student of 
Redfield College; Franklin H.; Lillian G.; Jessie, deceased; Hazel; and 
Clayton. 

Mr. Packard is one of the public spirited men of his state, and has 
been called upon to fill numerous public offices, and has otherwise 
aided in the upbuilding of South Dakota. In 1893 and again in 1898 he 
was elected to the legislature, and while a member of that body was 
prominent in obtaining the location of the Hospital for the Insane and 
Feeble Minded at Redfield, and he was successful in his efforts for an 
appropriation for the institution in the last session. He was chosen 
mayor of Redfield in 1898, and the creditable manner in which he is 
performing the duties of his position, accords him the highest praise. 
He has the confidence and respect of the citizens of his state 
regardless of party affiliations. He is a member of the Masonic order, 
the Knights of Pythias, and the G. A. R., and in 1898 was chosen senior 
vice commander of the latter. He stands for Republican principles.