Henry W. Parker (1849 - 1934)

Born 2 Nov 1849 in New Bedford, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA

Ancestors

Died 24 May 1934 at age 84 in New Bedford, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Kerry Fisher [send private message]

. The 1880 Federal Census of NY shows one Henry Parker (Druggist) born 1849 (Massachusetts) as son of Ward R Parker and Lilla Parker https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=1880usfedcen&indiv=try&h=4273236

It would be unlikely that there are 2 Henry Parkers both born in 1849 and both Druggists More likely there is just one and the census must be incorrect. Henry and Ward R are actually brothers although they are born 20 years apart.

Biography

"Parker, Henry W., son of Ward M. and Marcia F. (Lewis) Parker, was born in New Bedford, November 2, 1849. His father, a native of Falmouth. was in early life engaged in the coasting trade commanding a vessel running to Charleston, S. C. He later engaged in procuring live oak timber in Florida, under contracts with the government, and finally embarked in the whaling business at Wood's Holl, where he built the ship Bartholomew Gosnold, and by shrewd management he acquired a large estate. For nearly forty years he was a director in the Marine (now First National) Bank, and for many years was in the direction of the New Bedford and Taunton Railroad, the Gas Light Co., the Commercial Insurance Co., the Taunton Locomotive Works, and the Taunton Copper Co., of which he was president several years. He died in New Bedford, August 6, 1881, in his ninety seventh year, a man universally respected and of many friends. Henry W. Parker attended private schools in New Bedford and Falmouth, preparing for college at New Bedford under the late Charles P. Rugg, who was for twenty five years principal of the High School, and in 1868 he entered Brown University and took the A. B. degree in 1872. In the same year he began the study of medicine at Harvard University, School of Medicine, but discontinued his medical course at the end of the first year and established a drug store in New Bedford, locating at the corner of Middle and Purchase streets. At the end of a period of four years he sold out and became connected with Smith's Homoeopathic Pharmacy in New York city, but on the death of his father returned to New Bedford to assume the management of the estate. In 1885 he again took up the study of medicine at Harvard University, School of Medicine, and was graduated M. D. in 1890, but has never been in active practice. Mr. Parker became associated with the firm of Gifford & Company in 1889, and now owns the entire interest. This clothing store, now located on Pleasant street, was established by Nathaniel Gifford in 1853, and consequently may be remembered among the oldest establishments of its kind in the city."

From:

• Our county and its people... The Boston History Company, Publishers, 1899.

Sources

• Ancestry.com. Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.

Name: Henry Parker

Event Type: Birth

Birth Date: 2 Nov 1849

Birth Place: New Bedford, Massachusetts

Father Name: Ward M Parker

Mother Name: Marcia Lewis

• 1860 Census
• Year: 1860; Census Place: New Bedford Ward 5, Bristol, Massachusetts; Roll: M653_490; Page: 725; Family History Library Film: 803490.
• 1900 Census
• Year: 1900; Census Place: Framingham, Middlesex, Massachusetts; Roll: 659; Page: 7A; Enumeration District: 0761; FHL microfilm: 1240659.
• 1910 Census
• Year: 1910; Census Place: New Bedford Ward 4, Bristol, Massachusetts; Roll: T624_579; Page: 9B; Enumeration District: 0198; FHL microfilm: 1374592.
• Find A Grave Oak Grove Cemetery, New Bedford, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA