Louis E. Packer

STACY, PACKER, COLBERT

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/14/2015 at 16:56:59

Northwestern Iowa
Its History and Traditions
1804 – 1926

A connection of nearly forty years with one firm indicates that a man must have exhibited certain qualities that have commended him to the good favor of those with whom he has been associated. Such has been the record of Louis E. Packer, who for four decades has been identified with the Tolerton & Warfield Company of Sioux City, while through- out the community he has long held the unbound respect and esteem of his fellow citizens. A native of Sioux City, he was born on the 29th day of February, 1872, his parents being Gustavus A. and Anna Maria (Stacy) Packer, the former a native of Connecticut, while the latter was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. In the early ‘50s their respective families came to eastern, Iowa, settling in Clayton County, where the young couple were reared and married. In 1870 the Packer family came to Sioux City. The father was a veteran of the Civil War, in which he served his country three years. He died in California in 1923, at the age of eighty years, and the mother is now making her home with her daughter, Mrs. F.M. Powell, of Dinuba, California.

Louis E. Packer received his educational training in the public schools of Sioux City and then started to work for the Tolerton & Stetson Company, wholesale grocers, now known as the Tolerton & Warfield Company. His faithful and able service was rewarded by his appointment as secretary of this company in 1901, in which capacity he served until 1920, when he was made vice-president and treasurer, and is still serving. Through the years he has devoted himself indefatigably to the interests of this well-known house and has been a prominent factor in its success. He also holds official relations with the Johnson Biscuit Company, the Sibley- Hess Company and the Ross Company, all of Sioux City, and the Norfolk Packing Company, of Norfolk, Nebraska.

In Fort Dodge, Iowa, Mr. Packer was united in marriage to Miss Florence Colbert, the daughter of Vaughn S. and Rebecca (Ball) Colbert. The Colbert family was originally from near Baltimore, Maryland, whence they came to Sioux City in the ‘90s. Mr. Colbert was with the Tolerton & Stetson Company five years in Sioux City and then went to Fort Dodge, Iowa, as manager of a wholesale grocery house at that place. In 1908 he retired and moved to South Pasadena, California, where his death occurred in 1918. To Mr. and Mrs. Packer have been born four children, namely, Luella, John (who is associated in business with his father), Richard and Robert. Politically Mr. Packer gives his support to the Republican Party, while his religious affiliation is with the First Presbyterian church. He is also a member of the Young Men’s Christian Association. Mr. Packer has done considerable automobile traveling, his tours covering many of the Western States, and he is also fond of hunting as a means of recreation. He is a gentleman of broad views and well defined opinions, is regarded as a man of reliable judgment in practical affairs and is highly esteemed throughout the business circles of this city.