Joseph A. Packer, M. D., Rapides Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by Mike Miller

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Joseph A. Packer, M. D. One of the substantial business men of Rapides 
Parish and a prominent medical practitioner at Alexandria, is Dr. Joseph 
A. Packer, a member of the staff of the Alexandria City Hospital, and 
valued highly not only for his sound scientific attainments, but also 
for his proofs of genuine interest in the welfare of this city, of which 
he has been a resident for the past ten years.

Joseph A. Packer was born near Toledo, Texas, February 4, 1879, son of 
Henry H. and Catherine (Ferguson) Packer, both of whom were born in 
Scotland.  They came to the United States in youth and were married 
here and the mother of Doctor Packer survives and resides with him at 
Alexandria.  Of their family of six children, Doctor Packer was the 
second in order of birth.  His father was engaged in the cattle business 
in Texas until a couple rears prior to his death. He served in the 
Confederate army in the war between the states, and accidentally 
broke a leg at Chickamauga.

In large measure, Doctor Packer is a self-made man.  His early educational 
opportunities were meager, but he was industrious, enterprising and 
ambitious, and after determining to become a physician, earned the 
money with which to pay his way through college, and in the same spirit 
faced and overcame other obstacles.  He completed his education and was
graduated from the medical department of the University of Tennessee, 
at Memphis, in 1904, after which he served one year as interne in St. 
Joseph Hospital, at Memphis, Tennessee.  He came then to Louisiana and 
established a practice in Grant Parish, where he continued until 1914, 
when he came to Alexandria.  In addition to serving on the staff of the 
Alexandria Hospital, he gives as much time to private practice as he can 
spare from his numerous business interests.  He is concerned in various 
substantial enterprises in Rapides Parish, being vice president of the 
Adams Brick Company, vice president of the Home Investment Company, and 
president of the First National Bank of Pineville.  He owns also a 
valuable plantation, of which he is practically manager.

Doctor Packer was married in 1907 to Miss Mattie Adams. who was born in 
Houston County, Texas, and educated at Baylor College, Waco, Texas.  They 
have three children:  Maxine, who is a high school graduate and winner of 
a scholarship;  Mamie, who is a student in the high school; and  James 
Malcolm, who is also in school.  Doctor Packer is a Methodist and his 
family belong to the Baptist Church, as does his mother.  He is a member 
of the Louisiana State and the Rapides Parish Medical societies, and is a 
Mason of advanced degree and a Shriner.  In political conviction he is a 
democrat, as was his father, but has never consented to serve in a political 
office.  He is an advocate of outdoor recreations, and when he can secure 
a little leisure from his many responsibilities, is very apt to spend it 
on a fishing excursion.

A History of Louisiana, (vol. 2), p. 224, by Henry E. Chambers.  Published 
by The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, 1925.