John Black Packer (March 21, 1824 – July 7, 1891) was aRepublican member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromPennsylvania.[1][2]
John B. Packer was born inSunbury, Pennsylvania on March 21, 1824.[3] Initially a private student, he later attended theSunbury Academy inSunbury, Pennsylvania.[4]
From 1839 to 1842, he served with the corps of engineers that was employed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the survey and construction of public improvements.[5]
After completed law studies, Packer was admitted to the bar on August 6, 1844, and began his legal practice in Sunbury, where he was also engaged in banking.[6]
Deputy attorney general of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania from 1845 to 1847, he subsequently served in thePennsylvania State House of Representatives in 1850 and 1851. He also became one of the organizers of theSusquehanna Railroad Company in 1851.[7]
Packer was then elected as a Republican to theforty-first and to the three succeeding Congresses. He served as chairman of theUnited States House Committee on Railways and Canals during theForty-second Congress andUnited States House Committee on Post Office and Post Roads during theForty-third Congress.[8][9]
After declining to be a candidate for renomination in1876, he resumed the practice of law in Sunbury, as well as his banking activities.[10]
He died in Sunbury on July 7, 1891 and was interred at thePomfret Manor Cemetery in Sunbury.[11][12]
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromPennsylvania's 14th congressional district 1869–1877 | Succeeded by |
| Post Office and Post Roads (1808–1947) |  | |
|---|---|---|
| (Reform in the) Civil Service* (1893–1947) | ||
| Post Office and Civil Service (1947–1995) | ||
| Note | *Name shortened fromReform in the Civil Service toCivil Service in 1925. | |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| People | |
