William F. Packer

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 state 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.

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