BIO: Hon. William F. PACKER, Centre County, Pennsylvania

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja and Joan Brooks  

Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/
_______________________________________________ 

Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the 
Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical 
Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. 
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
_______________________________________________ 

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, pages 20-21

HON. WILLIAM F. PACKER, another son of Centre county who became Governor of the 
Commonwealth, and a distinguished statesman, was born near Howard, April 2, 
1807.  When he was but seven years of age his father died, leaving a widow and 
five small children-the eldest under ten years of age.  Bereft of parental care, 
the sons, Hezekiah B., afterward Judge Packer, of Williamsport, William F., and 
John P., afterward a merchant at Flemington, Clinton Co., Penn., as they arrived 
at a sufficient age, applied themselves to the task of assisting their mother in 
maintaining the family, and cheerfully sustained whatever hardships their 
situation imposed, receiving at the same time such education as the limited 
facilities of the country schools of that time afforded.  Directed by their 
mother, and relying upon their own resources for their success, it is no marvel 
that these young men became distinguished, each in his proper sphere in after 
life.
  In 1820, William F. Packer, then in his thirteenth year, obtained a place in 
the office of the Public Inquirer, published in Sunbury, with Samuel F. Packer, 
a kinsman, afterward a State senator from the Northumberland District, who was 
publishing this paper at that time.  When young William became assured of his 
position he trudged off on foot a distance of eighty miles, and engaged himself 
as an apprentice.  After about one year had elapsed the paper was discontinued 
and he returned to Centre county, where he completed his apprenticeship in the 
office of the Bellefonte Patriot, then under the control of Henry Petrikin, who 
subsequently became a distinguished member of the State Legislature, and was 
deputy secretary of the Commonwealth under Governor Shunk.  After the expiration 
of his apprenticeship in 1825, he obtained a clerkship in the office of the 
register and recorder in Lycoming county, but at the commencement of the 
Legislature, in December of the same year, he went to Harrisburg and engaged as 
a journeyman printer in the office of the Pennsylvania Intelligencer, published 
by Simon Cameron, 

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 21

since then United States senator, and David Krause, afterward president judge of 
the Bucks County District.  He worked in this office for two years, and then 
went to Williamsport and entered his name as a student at law in the office of 
Joseph B. Anthony, who afterward served as a State senator, member of Congress 
and president judge of the Lycoming District.  He never applied for admission to 
the Bar, yet the knowledge thus acquired of the rudiments of the profession was 
of inestimable value to him in the public stations which he afterward filled.  
In the fall of 1827, he purchased the Lycoming Gazette, which, in connection 
with John Brandon, he published until the spring of 1836.  On December 24, 1829, 
he was married to Mary W., daughter of Peter W. Vanderbelt, a most estimable 
lady, who still survives him.  Mr. Packer took a leading part in the agitation 
in constructing the West Branch canal in 1831.  He was the author of the address 
to the people of Philadelphia, whose members in the Legislature opposed the 
appropriations for the building of this canal, and to his efforts, as much as to 
those of any individual, are the people of that section of the State indebted 
for preserving and completing this great improvement, whose influence was of 
incalculable benefit to the vicinity in which Mr. Packer was raised.  Mr. Packer 
was appointed as superintendent of that division June, 1835.  He took a leading 
and active part in favor of the renomination and re-election of Gov. George Wolf 
in 1835.  In 1836, with O. Barrett and Benjamin Parke, he established The 
Keystone at Harrisburg, a paper which at once commanded the confidence and 
support of the Democratic party of the State.  In February, 1839, he was 
appointed a member of the board of Canal Commissioners, in which position he 
achieved great success.
  In 1842 he was appointed auditor-general of the Commonwealth, and he continued 
to discharge the duties of that office for a period of three years, with great 
distinction.  Mr. Packer served two terms in the Legislature of the State, from 
the district composed of Lycoming, Clinton and Potter counties, and also served 
as speaker of the House for two successive terms.  He was a lifelong adherent of 
the Democratic party, and was one of the most forcible advocates and leaders.  
He was elected State senator in 1849, over Andrew G. Curtin, who afterward 
succeeded him in the executive chair.  On all questions relating to improvements 
in the Susquehanna Valley, he especially distinguished himself.  In 1851 he 
introduced a bill to incorporate the Susquehanna Railroad Co.  This was the 
means of the building eventually of a network of railroads through this Valley, 
and the development of one of the richest and most valuable sections of the 
State.  In the organization of the Susquehanna Railroad Co., in June, 1852, Mr. 
Packer was made its first president.  He was nominated for governor in 1857, and 
was triumphantly elected by a majority of fourteen thousand votes.  His 
administration of this office was accomplished with great ability, and although 
many complicated questions involving great and important decisions, were 
required, yet he met and disposed of all these with great credit and wisdom.  
Gov. Packer relinquished the office of State executive in 1860, to Hon. A. G. 
Curtin, another of Centre county's noble sons.  Springing from the people, he 
was an active and creditable exponent of their rights, and opposed with 
unflinching firmness every form of intolerance, whether political or religious.  
His name will ever be on record as one of Pennsylvania's most capable and 
illustrious statesmen.