History of Sunbury, (Northumberland County) Pennsylvania United States of America

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Biographies:

Daniel Cruger, representative, was born in Sunbury, Pa., Dec. 22, 1780; son of Daniel Cruger. He established The American Constellation at Union, N.Y., in 1800, removed it to Oswego, in 1803, and changed its name to The American Far mer. In 1805 he removed to Bath where he was admitted to the bar in 1809. He was a major in the war of 1812; was a member of the state assembly, 1814-16 and speaker in 1816. He was appointed U.S. district attorney for the 7th district, April 17, 1815, and district attorney of Steuben county in 1818-21. He was a representative in the 15th U.S. congress, 1817-19 and a member of the state assembly again in 1826. He died at Elm Grove, Va., July 12, 1843.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

John Peter Shindel Gobin, soldier, was born in Sunbury, Pa., Jan. 26, 1837; son of Samuel and Susan (Shindel) Gobin; grandson of Edward Gobin, a land surveyor in Tioga county at the time of the contest over the Connecticut title, and of the Rev. Peter Shindel, a noted Lutheran divine of Sunbury; and great-grandson of Charles Gobin, who settled in Sunbury prior to the Revolution and was a captain in the Continental army. He attended the district school, learned the trade of a printer and read law. He published a paper in Philadelphia, taught school and was admitted to the bar in 1859, practising in Sunbury. He entered the Union army as 1st lieutenant in the 11th Pennsylvania volunteers, enlisting for three months' service. His first battle was Falling Waters, Va. He re-enlisted as captain in the 47th Pennsylvania volunteers serving in the army of the Potomac, at Key West, Florida, and in operations against Savannah, Charleston, Fort Finnegan, St. John's Bluffs and Jacksonville. In Florida he served as judge-advocate-general of the department of the south. The regiment then took part in the Red River campaign, and Captain Gobin was promoted major for services at Sabin Crossroads and Pleasant Hill, La. After July, 1864, the regiment was with Sheridan's army in the Valley of the Shenandoah, and at Washington, when the national capital was threatened by Early. He was promoted lieutenant-colonel and colonel, and commanded the regiment at Cedar Creek until assigned to the command of a brigade. In 1865 the regiment was assigned to Hancock's veteran corps, was on guard at Washington after President Lincoln was assassinated, took part in the grand review and then went to Savannah and Charleston. Colonel Gobin was provost judge at the latter place during the reconstruction period. He was mustered out in January, 1866; practised law at Lebanon, Pa., and declined the position of U.S. district judge for the southern district of Florida, tendered by President Grant in 1869. He was active in the organization of the Grand Army of the Republic in 1876, was department commander, 1886-87, and commander-in-chief, 1897-98, He was a trustee of the Soldiers' and Sailors' home, Erie, Pa.; commissioner of the Soldiers' Orphans' school, and vice-president of the board; commissioner of the Gettysburg monument association; and a member of the Loyal Legion and of the Sons of the Revolution. He was elected state senator in 1884, served four terms, and was chosen president pro tempore of the senate. In 1885 he was made brigadier-general of the 3d brigade, P.S.M., and as such aided in suppressing the labor riots after that date. In 1898 he was made a brigadier-general, U.S.V., in the war with Spain and commanded the 3d brigade, 1st division, and 1st division, 2d army corps. On Nov 8, 1898, he was elected lieutenant-governor of Pennsylvania on the Republican ticket with William A. Stone for governor.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

John Black Packer, representative, was horn in Sunbury, Pa., March 21, 1824; son of Samuel Jones and Rachel (Black) Packer; grandson of James and Rose (Mendenhall) Packer; great grandson of Philip and Ann (Coates) Packer; and great2-grandson of Philip Packer, who emigrated from England about 1700, settled near Princeton, N.J., and was married to Rebecca Jones, of Philadelphia. John attended the academy at Sunbury, and was attached to the state corps of engineers, 1839-42. He studied law with Ebenezer Greenough; was admitted to the bar in 1844, and practiced in Sunbury. He was deputy attorney-general of Pennsylvania, 1845-48; district attorney of Northumberland county, 1849-50, and a representative in the state legislature, 1850-51. He was married May 22, 1851, to Mary M., daughter of William Cameron, of Lewisburg, Pa. He was a Republican representative from the fourteenth Pennsylvania district in the 41st-44th congresses, 1869-77, and in 1876 declined the appointment of postmaster-general of the United States, offered by President Grant. He died in Sunbury, Pa., July 7, 1891.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor