William F. Packer

William Fisher Packer (April 2, 1807 – September 27, 1870) was an American politician from Pennsylvania who served as the 14th governor of Pennsylvania from 1858 to 1861.

Early and personal life Packer was born in Howard, Pennsylvania

Packer studied law in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, under future member of Congress Joseph Biles Anthony but did not practice, choosing instead to stay in the newspaper business.

Entry into politics Packer's support for the canal did not go unnoticed and in 1832, he was appointed by the Canal Commission to serve as Superintendent of the canals. Packer won re-election in 1848 and then served as a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate for the 12th district from 1851 to 1852.

In the State Senate, Packer was an ardent supporter of railroad development in Central Pennsylvania, working towards the establishment of the Susquehanna Railroad. Buchanan won the nomination at the 1856 Democratic National Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio, and went on to win the Presidency over Republican John C. Frémont and Know Nothing candidate and former President Millard Fillmore.

Governor In 1857, Packer was nominated as the Democratic Party Candidate for Governor. He was opposed by David Wilmot, author of the Wilmot Proviso which aimed to ban the expansion of slavery to territories acquired from Mexico, and Isaac Hazlehurst of the Native American Party. The question of the day, however, remained the issue of slavery in Kansas. Packer forwarded a letter to his friend, President Buchanan, supporting the Kansas-Nebraska Act, but opposing an expansion of slavery in that state without a free and open process.

In dealing with the economic crisis caused by the Panic, Packer vehemently blamed banks and the free issue of paper money over gold and silver coinage. He is interred at Williamsport Cemetery.

Places named for William F. Packer Packer Park - A neighborhood along Packer Avenue in South Philadelphia.

Packer Hall - A residence hall on the University Park campus of the Pennsylvania State University.

Packer Street Williamsport PA