Tipton-Hamilton County IN Archives Biographies.....Parker, Isaac 1822 - 1874 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/in/infiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com April 9, 2007, 2:24 am Author: Charles Blanchard, Editor (1883) DR. ISAAC PARKER (deceased), one of Tipton County's representative men, and one who was for many years closely identified with her interests, was born in Highland County, Ohio, December 4, 1822; his parents being poor, his education was limited; but this defect in his early training was so far removed by his energy and application in after years that he came to be regarded by all his neighbors and fellow-citizens as a man thoroughly posted in all those matters pertaining to the business affairs of life. During his thirteenth year, he was mail carrier between Hillsboro and Columbus, Ohio. After this he was, of his own choice, apprenticed to the tailor's trade. On the board he not only became a skillful workman, but readily picked up various kinds of useful knowledge. Before he attained his majority, he was married to Miss Jane Rittenhouse, who urged him to study the profession of medicine, and by whom he was the father of eight children—D. H. Parker, of Indianapolis; N. W. Parker, of Lynchburg, Ohio; Mrs. Dr. Barker, Mrs. Thadeus Nance, Mrs. E. B. Martindale and James I. Parker, of Tipton; two are dead, dying in infancy ; he emigrated to Tipton in the fall of 1847, and entered into the practice of medicine, having had some years' experience in that profession in Ohio. By the year 1852, he had accumulated considerable property, and being a fluent speaker, he was chosen by the Democratic party to contest with Judge Green for the Legislature, from the district composed of the counties of Tipton and Howard. The Doctor was elected by something over one hundred majority, it being, if our memory serves us right, the only time Judge Green was ever beaten before the people. After this he continued the practice of his profession, but traded considerably in real estate, after engaging in the dry goods business. Some twenty-five years ago, he moved to and resided in Noblesville some six or eight months. Returning he brought on a stock of goods; he was in partnership with the Hon. N. J. Jackson at the time of that gentleman's death, in the fall of 1863. In 1865, he owned a dry goods establishment, a warehouse, the Tipton Flouring Mills, and paid taxes on $20,000 in real estate. In the year 1867, his wife died. This was followed by an illness that continued some three months, during which he was the greater part of the time delirious. While prostrated under this attack, important notes maturing, he awoke to find himself a bankrupt. From these losses—domestic, financial and physical—he never entirely recovered. Often has he remarked to the writer, "I am liable to drop off at any moment." In 1868, he was married to a Mrs. Taylor, a German lady, by whom he has one son, Victor. In February of 1874, while transacting business in his office, he was stricken with apoplexy. He never recovered consciousness, and expired peacefully. Dr. I. Parker was a devoted friend, husband and father. He had his faults as have all men, but so kind-hearted and benevolent was he, that a forgiving public gladly covers them with the mantle of charity. He was widely known, both as a physician and merchant, and some years ago was a politician. Additional Comments: Extracted from: COUNTIES OF HOWARD AND TIPTON, INDIANA. HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. ILLUSTRATED. CHARLES BLANCHARD. EDITOR. CHICAGO: F. A. BATTEY & CO. 1883. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/in/tipton/bios/parker931gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/infiles/ File size: 3.9 Kb