Union veteran of the Civil War and Louisiana political figure. He taught school and studied law before joining the Army for the Civil War, serving as a Captain in the 12th and 16th Maine Regiments. Packard remained in Louisiana during Reconstruction and was appointed US Marshal in New Orleans in 1871. He became the leader of a Republican party faction that opposed a rival faction led by to Governor Henry Clay Warmoth. In 1872 Packard managed the campaign of Governor William Pitt Kellogg. During the period before Kellogg's swearing in Packard supported the impeachment of outgoing Governor Warmoth. When Warmoth was removed, Packard helped obtain recognition of P.B.S. Pinchback as Governor for the thirty-five days remaining on Warmoth's term. Packard ran for Governor in 1876. The general election outcome was disputed, with Packard and Democrat Francis T. Nicholls both taking the oath of office. In February 1877 Packard survived an assassination attempt. After Rutherford Hayes assumed the presidency following the Compromise of 1877 he recognized Nicholls as the legitimate Governor and withdrew federal troops from Louisiana. Packard was subsequently named US Consul in Liverpool, England, where he served until 1885. he then purchased a large farm in Marshalltown, Iowa; he was credited with introducing Hereford cattle in the Marshalltown area, and also served on the state Board of Agriculture. In 1905 he moved to Seattle, where he lived in retirement.

Union veteran of the Civil War and Louisiana political figure. He taught school and studied law before joining the Army for the Civil War, serving as a Captain in the 12th and 16th Maine Regiments. Packard remained in Louisiana during Reconstruction and was appointed US Marshal in New Orleans in 1871. He became the leader of a Republican party faction that opposed a rival faction led by to Governor Henry Clay Warmoth. In 1872 Packard managed the campaign of Governor William Pitt Kellogg. During the period before Kellogg's swearing in Packard supported the impeachment of outgoing Governor Warmoth. When Warmoth was removed, Packard helped obtain recognition of P.B.S. Pinchback as Governor for the thirty-five days remaining on Warmoth's term. Packard ran for Governor in 1876. The general election outcome was disputed, with Packard and Democrat Francis T. Nicholls both taking the oath of office. In February 1877 Packard survived an assassination attempt. After Rutherford Hayes assumed the presidency following the Compromise of 1877 he recognized Nicholls as the legitimate Governor and withdrew federal troops from Louisiana. Packard was subsequently named US Consul in Liverpool, England, where he served until 1885. he then purchased a large farm in Marshalltown, Iowa; he was credited with introducing Hereford cattle in the Marshalltown area, and also served on the state Board of Agriculture. In 1905 he moved to Seattle, where he lived in retirement.