Dr. B. C. Parker Family from History of Acworth, New Hampshire
From: tumbleweed@lisco.net  - Sharon Franklin

Surname: PARKER
Source:  History of Acworth with the Proceedings of the Centennial Anniversary, Genealogical
         Records and Register of Farms by Rev. J. L. Merrill, Town of Acworth, 1869, Page 254

DOCTOR B. C. PARKER, with his wife, arrived in Acworth in the spring of 1808, at the age of 
twenty-four years.  He was the eldest of five sons of David Parker of Westford, Massachusetts,
three of who were physicians, one a banker, and one a farmer.  For that period, he was well 
educated.  There were then no medical schools, and the profession was learned in the office 
of some approved physician.  He had spared no pains in his profession, availing himself of 
all the means within his reach, and entered his new field of labor confident of success.  He 
at first took up his residence at the north end of the village, remaining there about seven 
years.  In 1815 he was able to lay the foundation of his home in the south part of the village,
where he remained through life, and with which we all love to associate him.  Dr. Parker, as 
a physician, was widely known and universally respected.  He acquired celebrity in the region 
round about, insomuch that his counsel was sought in various directions. He often rode thirty 
and forty miles in a day.  He took great delight in his profession; his patients being to him
as dear friends, and by day and by night, through snow and blow, he willingly lent a listening
ear to a call of distress.  He never ceased to study, and possessed a valuable medical library
for that period and the midnight watch and early dawn found him pouring over these volumes.  
This library was chosen with so much discrimination that it became a valuable addition to that
of his son at a later and more learned period.  He was very happy in his modus operandi as a
doctor.  He was prompt, and would enter the sick room with such a genial, hopeful smile, and 
so softly, carefully and patiently, listen to all the complaints of a sick room as to steal 
the hearts of those looking to him for relief.  Truly, he was a good doctor.  As a gentleman 
he possessed more than ordinary culture, and was remarkable for affability kindness and 
politeness of demeanor.  He was a man of strict integrity, ever remembering the golden rule,
and of whom it might be said, "his word is as good as his bond. "He was social and generous 
in his feelings, and his house was the center of a wide hospitality.  All were welcome, and 
nowhere did friends find a warmer welcome that beneath his roof.  None who ever enjoyed his 
hospitality will forget the open, generous and courteous manner in which it was dispensed, 
and will grieve to remember that it is past forever.  His profession pecuniarily brought him 
independence.  He lived in great comfort, reared and educated a promising family, and on the 
whole had little to regret. In his whole career, his wife, Mrs. Mary Parker nobly seconded 
him, who to know was to love. She was strong-minded, had good common sense, and an unusual 
amount of executive ability. At the age of fifty-eight years Dr. Parker lost his wife, and 
soon after his own health gave way.  During the last ten years of his life, he was a great 
sufferer.  The hardships of early life now told upon him.  As he neared the close of life he
gave evidence of that faith in Christ which supports in the darkest hour, and peacefully went
to his rest.  He died in 1856, aged seventy-two years.  His children, were,
I. Milton, early designed for his father's profession, he added to it surgery. He enjoyed all
the facilities his country affords for a complete education.  He spent double the usual amount 
of time in preparing for his profession, and year after year found him at lectures in New York, 
Boston and Philadelphia.  His object accomplished, and his health requiring a more genial 
climate, went south and settled in Charlestown, Virginia. Here he was warmly received and 
entered at once upon a large and lucrative practice in both branches of his profession.  As a 
surgeon, he obtained a wide celebrity and cases were brought to him from all the country round
about.  Day after day, and year after year, amid a throng of suffering humanity, he is 
perfectly at home.  The first glimpse of his cheerful sanguine countenance inspires a new 
confidence, and as he proceeds, his quick perception and ready adaptation to circumstances, 
is, to a looker-on, surprising.  In 1859, his health made a change desirable, and he removed 
to Chicago, his present residence, not intending to engage in practice to any extent.  His 
reputation however followed him, the force of habit drew him into a large practice, and he 
ranks high among the medical men of that city.  He married Harriet, eldest daughter of Colonel
Train of Washington, N.H.
II. Laura, the eldest daughter of Dr. Parker, inherited the talents of the family.  She however
was quiet and unobtrusive in her ways, rejoicing rather in the praise and successes of her 
brothers and sisters than in seeking a high place for herself.  She was domestic in her habits,
and was assiduous in her attention to the wants of her parents and friends, studying to make 
all around her comfortable and happy.  She was also public-spirited, taking great interest in 
the Sabbath-school and in all the missionary and benevolent enterprises of her native village.
She was the last of the family to leave Acworth, having seen her father, mother and sister 
lay in the silent grave, and her brothers settled in their professions.  She died in South 
Carolina where she had gone for health.
III. Mary - died young.
IV. Julia possessed uncommon traits; she had a cheerful and happy temper, ready wit, and good
conversational powers.  She thirsted for knowledge, and read everything that came in her way.
From the Bridgewater treatises to works of light literature.  She readily acquired the 
languages, and besides Latin, was acquainted with French, Spanish and Italian.  Before her 
death she had developed quite a talent for writing, had tried her hand upon essays, criticisms,
tales and sketches with much success, writing in both prose and verse.  In 1851 she married 
J. Dyson, Esq. of Clarendon, S.C. and died on 8 April 1852, soon after she reached her new 
home.  Her memoir was written by Miss E. Latimer, and published together with miscellanies 
from her own pen. 
V. Horace, studied dentistry in Charlestown, S.C., and entered upon the practice of his 
profession in Edgefield in the same State, in which he has been successful, - married Sarah 
Dorm; his eight children are the only grand children of Doctor Parker.  Under his roof, recur
the old household name.
     
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