Born in 1830, Augustus Franklin Packard was an influential individual in the early development of Enterprise, Kansas. While detailed records about his life are limited, available accounts recognize him as a significant contributor to the growth and character of this small Kansas community.
Little is known about Augustus Packard’s early years or his background before arriving in Enterprise, Kansas. Like many settlers during the late 19th century, he likely came to Kansas seeking new opportunities in agriculture, business, or community development as the state was rapidly expanding during this period.
Packard became associated with several civic and business endeavors in Enterprise. The town itself was founded in the 1860s and quickly became a center for grain milling and trade in Dickinson County. Augustus Packard reportedly played a role in supporting local infrastructure projects and was involved in the social and economic life of the community.
Augustus Packard’s impact on Enterprise is remembered through local histories and, in some cases, through family stories and records. He contributed to the establishment of lasting institutions and set an example of leadership during a formative time for both the town and the region. His legacy is intertwined with the growth of Enterprise from a frontier settlement into a stable and prosperous Kansas community.
The legacy of Augustus Packard is a testament to the spirit of early Kansas pioneers. While many specific details of his life may be lost to history, his contributions to Enterprise, Kansas, remain part of the broader story of the American Midwest’s development.
Packard’s 1913 obituary mentions him as being one of the first settlers in Dickinson County. The Dickinson County Museum bestows that honor to George Freeman, my wife’s GG Grandfather. They both moved to the area around the same time. These two settlers were likely acquainted with each other.
Augustus Franklin Packard’s obituary reads as follows, with several grammar corrections:
“Journal 16 Oct 1913; born 9 Nov 1830, Athens Co, Ohio; moved to Dickinson county 1856; was one of the first settlers here; served in territorial legislature and was first county clerk; married 29 Jan 1875 to Alice B. Tuton of Baltimore, Md; had 4 children, Anita, Helen, Alice & Augustus F., all of whom survive; married 2nd Mrs. Sarah Matt; had 3 children, Clarence E., Elmer L. & Pearl I., all of whom survive; died 10 Oct 1913 in Dickinson County; also survived by 2 sisters, Mrs. Annie Winters & Mrs. Mary Adams, both of Dickinson County; Mrs. Adams died 13 Oct 1913. Packard genealogy at DCHS, son of George Washington Packard & Elizabeth Oliver, was a half-brother of Thomas O. Floyd. Augustus divorced both his wives; he is buried next to his mother, Elizabeth Packard, and his sister Mary Adams.”
In all, Augustus had seven children. A picture postcard sent by one of these daughters to another in 1910 from Longford, Kansas, was thoroughly researched. The recipient was Alice Packard, with the sender only identifying herself as “sister.”
A picture on the front of the card shows a one-room Longford school, with the complete class standing beside it and their teacher. The postcard reads:
“March 25, 1910
Dear sister,
Here is a lot of children at our school. My four are here. Can you find them. Josie is here now. Yes, Birtre lives in Topeka. All are well. Will write more soon. Your sister”
Alice B. Packard was born in July 1880 to parents Augustus and Alice Belle Packard. Having her mother’s name made it difficult to research things. One of Alice’s brothers was also named after her father, making for a similar problem.
After Alice’s father divorced their mother and remarried, the three girls and their mom lived together for the rest of their lives. The message sent on that postcard regarding her four children was confusing because none of the Packard girls ever married or had kids, including their half-sister, Pearl. Perhaps they were adopted?
1930 – 1950 census records show that Ernst Rudolph “Rudy” Schweitzer lived next to the Packard mother and daughters for several years. Rudy Schweitzer is my wife’s GG Uncle on the Schweitzer side. It’s most likely he helped the Packard women out during this time.
Alice Belle Tuton-Packard died on March 30, 1931. Her daughter, Alice B. Packard, the postcard recipient, passed away on August 9, 1856, while Helen died in 1961, and Anita passed away in 1963. They’re all buried in Enterprise.
On a side note, Elmer Packard, a son from the second marriage of Augustus Packard, after coming into his share of inheritance money from the sale of his father’s estate, which was sizable, purchased a fast car (at that time) from Topeka. Soon after, he rolled the vehicle, with it killing him and injuring a passenger.
I like to write junk... 