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WAS born in Clermont County, 0., March 17, 1828. His father, Rev. Daniel Parker, was a pioneer in that county, and a preacher of note. His parents were well-educated people from New England; hence, his advantages were .good, and Mr. Parker permitted none of them to pass unimproved. His first experience in teaching was with his elder brother in Clermont Academy, which was founded by his parents on their own farm, for the education of their own children and those of their neighbors.

In 1849 he came to Cincinnati, and was employed for a time as book-keeper in a wholesale house, when he was prevailed upon to take charge of the school in the House of Refuge. He entered the public schools in 1853, and remained in them until his death, at which time he was principal of the Second Intermediate School on Ninth Street, between Vine and Race Streets.

He possessed great executive ability, and was twice appointed by the school board to organize the schools for newly-made districts in new school buildings—first, on the corner of Elm and Adams Streets, and afterward in the building at Freeman and Poplar Streets. In each of these he remained a year, and, after reducing the schools to systematic working order, was returned to his position in the intermediate school. Mr. Parker was in the schools at a time when they were in a transition state, and contributed not a little, by his energy and wisdom, toward establishing the broad basis and high standard of excellence for which the schools of our city are now known throughout the land. He was one of the most successful of teachers, and beloved by all who ever enjoyed the privilege of being his pupils. He was eminently social in his nature and gentle in spirit. His wit and humor were inexhaustible, yet without bitterness or sarcasm, and made him the life of a circle of admiring and devoted friends.

When the war of the rebellion broke out he was eager to have a hand in maintaining the Union, but was deterred from enlisting until the call was made for "hundred-days men," when he insisted that his turn had come. In May, 1864, he went with a company, composed chiefly of teachers and students, under Col. S. S. Fisher, who was president of the city school board. They formed Company E of the One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Regiment, Ohio National Guard. He was taken sick at the mouth of the Appomattox River, where his company was engaged in the transfer of ammunition from vessels in the James River to the front, for the siege of Petersburg. He refused to go into hospital and receive treatment, saying that time was too short and precious to be spent in being sick. He rallied somewhat, after reaching home in September, and resumed his school duties, but failed during the Winter, and died March 29, 1865.

Thus, at the early age of thirty-seven, departed one who, in these few years, had accomplished more of usefulness than many do in a long life—the genial Christian gentleman, whom none knew but to love, and none named but to praise.