Asa Packer

Asa Packer
19th century portrait of Packer
Member of Pennsylvania House of Representatives
In office 1842–1843
Associate Judge of Carbon County
In office 1843–1844
4th & 6th President of Lehigh Valley Railroad
In office 1868–1879
Preceded by	William M. Longstreth
Succeeded by	William M. Longstreth
In office 1862–1864
Preceded by	J. Gillingham Fell
Succeeded by	Charles Hartshorne
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 13th district
In office March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1857
Preceded by	James Gamble
Succeeded by	William H. Dimmick
Personal details
Born	(1805-12-29)December 29, 1805 Mystic, Connecticut, U.S.
Died	May 17, 1879(1879-05-17) (aged 73) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Sarah Minerva Blakslee
Occupation	Businessman, railroad executive, politician
Signature

Asa Packer (December 29, 1805 – May 17, 1879) was an American businessman who pioneered railroad construction, was active in Pennsylvania politics, and founded Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He was a conservative and religious man who reflected the image of the typical Connecticut Yankee. He served two terms in the United States House of Representatives from 1853 to 1857.