Biography

04/02/1807 - 09/27/1870

PACKER, William Fisher, a Representative of Clinton, Lycoming and Potter Counties; born, April 2, 1807 in Howard Township, Centre County, Pa.; printer’s apprentice, Publick Inquirer, Sunbury (1820-1824); printer’s apprentice, Bellefonte Patriot; journeyman, Pennsylvania Intelligencer (1825-1827); owner, Lycoming Gazette (1827-1836); superintendent, West branch division, Pennsylvania Canal (1832-1835); elected, National Democratic Convention (1835, 1856); owner, Keystone, Harrisburg (1837-1841); appointed, State Canal Commissioner (1839-1842); appointed, Pennsylvania Auditor General (1842-1845); unsuccessful campaign, Pennsylvania House of Representatives (1846); elected as a Democrat to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 1848 and 1849 terms; elected, Speaker of the House (1848-1849); elected, Pennsylvania State Senate (1850-1852); elected, Governor of Pennsylvania (1858-1861); died, September 27, 1870 in Williamsport, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania; Williamsport Cemetery, Williamsport, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania