Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography/Parker, Samuel (clergyman)

PARKER, Samuel, clergyman, b. in Ashfield, Mass., 23 April, 1779; d. in Ithaca, N. Y., 24 March, 1866. He was graduated at Williams in 1806 and at Andover theological seminary in 1810, became a missionary in western New York, and subsequently was in charge of Congregational churches in Massachusetts and New York. Mr. Parker originated the mission of the American board in Oregon, travelled there in 1835-'7, subsequently lectured in many eastern states on the character of that territory, and did much to establish the claims of the U. S. government to the lands, and to induce emigrants to settle there. He is also said to have been the first to suggest the possibility of constructing a railroad through the Rocky mountains to the Pacific ocean. He published “Exploring Tour Beyond the Rocky Mountains” (Ithaca, N. Y., 1838). — His son, Henry Webster, clergyman, b. in Danby, N. Y., 7 Sept., 1824, was graduated at Amherst in 1843, studied theology, was ordained to the ministry of the Presbyterian church, and has been a pastor in western and central New York and in Massachusetts. He studied at the Lawrence scientific school of Harvard in 1864-'5, became professor of chemistry in Iowa college in the latter year, was professor of mental science and natural history in Massachusetts agricultural college in 1870-'9, and since 1879 has occupied a similar chair in Iowa college. He has published “Story of a Soul,” a poem (Auburn, N. Y., 1850) and “Verse” (Boston, 1862), and has contributed largely to the magazines. — His wife, Helen Fitch, author, b. in Auburn, N. Y., 20 Dec., 1827; d. in Amherst, Mass., 4 Dec., 1874, was educated at Auburn female seminary, and married Mr. Parker in 1852. Her publications include “Sunrise and Sunset” (Auburn, 1854); “Morning Stars of the New World” (New York, 1854); “Rambles after Land Shells” (Boston, 1863); “Missions and Martyrs of Madagascar” (1864); “Frank's Search for Sea-Shells” (1866); “Constance of Aylmer,” a tale of the 17th century (New York, 1869); “Blind Florette” (Boston, 1871); and “Arthur's Aquarium” (1872).