William F. Packer

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

William Fisher Packer
William F. Packer

In office
January 19, 1858 – January 15, 1861
Preceded by James Pollock
Succeeded by Andrew Gregg Curtin

Born April 2, 1807
Died September 27, 1870
Political party Democratic

William Fisher Packer (2 April 1807 - 27 September 1870) was governor of Pennsylvania from 1858 to 1861. Packer began his career as a printer’s apprentice, eventually owning and editing his own newspaper, the Lycoming Gazette. He helped found the Harrisburg Gazette, a Democratic newspaper published in Harrisburg. He held a succession of public offices, including Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Packer defeated Republican candidate David Wilmot for governor in 1857. He left office just prior to the beginning of the American Civil War.

Packer has a residence hall named after him on the University Park campus of the Pennsylvania State University.

Preceded by
James Pollock
Governor of Pennsylvania
1858–1861
Succeeded by
Andrew Gregg Curtin