Asa Packer (1805-1879) was born at Mystic, New London County, Connecticut. He migrated to Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, in 1822, to become and apprentice to his uncle, Edward Packer, following the carpentry trade and farming. He married Sarah Blakslee in 1828. They had seven children. The family moved to Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania in 1833. There he became a captain of industry, first first in coal and canals, later railroads.