Horace Billings Packer

The son of Dr. Nelson and Mary McDougall Packer, Horace Packer was born in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, October 11, 1851.  Attended public schools, Wellsboro Academy, Alfred University, studied law under former Senator Wilson, joined the Tioga bar, and replaced Wilson as partner to J.B. Niles.  Served as district attorney; elected to the state House of Representatives, 1884; elected to the Senate November 1888; author of the “cottage hospital” bill, providing care for injured coalminers in the bitumionous coal region; abolished the “road fence” act; and the 1887 “Practice Act,” simplifying Pennsylvania’s legal practices code.  Elected to Congress after one term in the state Senate; chair of the State Republican Convention; and pursued an international coal and timber land investment business.  He served as a trustee of the Mansfield State Normal School and died in Wellsboro, April 13, 1940.