Isaac B. Parker, a prosperous and popular young farmer of Otsego County, is 
a descendant of one of the earliest of the pioneers. His great grandfather, 
Elisha Parker, was of English parentage, his father having come from England 
about 150 years ago, settling in Rhode Island. In that state Elisha Parker 
was born August 6, 1746. He was married to Maria Ellsworth, a native of 
Plymouth, Mass. To this marriage there were born eleven children, Alexander 
the grandfather of our subject, being on of the eldest, all of whom were 
born in New England. Elisha Parker served as Captain in the war of the 
revolution, and about the year 1800 came to Otsego County, settling on a 
part of the farm now owned by his great-grandson. He died in this county, 
March 19, 1813, his wife surviving him until September 24, 1828. 
 
Alexander Parker was born in Rhode Island, January 8, 1768. When a small boy he served in 
the Revolutionary War as a servant to General WAshington. While still a boy he worked out 
by the month to aid his father in the support of his large family.  He continued to work 
in this way until he was twenty-two years of age, and then began to save money for 
himself in order to have the means with which to purchase property.  He was married, in 
January, 1791, to Sarah Gardner, of Pownal, Vt., a daughter of Abram Gardner, to which 
marriage there was born one son, David, who died in infancy, the mother dying May 27, 
1792.  In February, 1793, he was married to Joanna Gardner, a sister of his first wife.  
By his second marriage he had nine children, viz:  Abram, Polly, Elisha, Ira; Betsy, now 
living in the town of Edmeston at the age of eighty-five; Mehitable, living with her 
nephew, Isaac, at the age of eighty-three; Alexander, Jr., residing in Cleveland, Ohio, 
at the age of eighty; Sarah; and David G., the father of our subject.  The father of 
these nine children died in West Burlington, February 27, 1845, and his wife died June 
22, 1860.  He was a successful farmer and a worthy citizen.  Politically, he was a 
Democrat, and both he and his wife were members of the Baptist Church for more than fifty 
years.

David G. Parker was born on the farm in West Burlington, November 29, 1822.  Educated in 
the common schools, and brought up on the farm, he lived with his parents until their 
death.  On May 27, 1852, he was married to Susanna Bolton, a native of Burlington, Otsego 
County, and a daughter of Lemuel and Ruth Bolton, who were formerly of Pownal, Vt.  Mr. 
and Mrs.  David G. Parker had five children, viz:  Ella M., who when about six years old 
was accidentally killed by being caught in some bars while climbing through them.  He 
mother was the first to discover the accident, and hurried to the spot to rescue her 
little daughter, but was too late, her neck being broken by the fall.  Isaac B., the 
subject of this sketch; Dexter A., living on a farm near the old homestead; and Ruth J., 
living with her brother Isaac B.  David G. Parker died May 24, 1881.  He was an honest, 
industrious, good citizen, and died respected by all who knew him.

Isaac B. Parker now occupies the old farm, which consists of 320 acres of land, well 
improved and finely located.  On this farm most of his life has been spent.  He received 
his early education in the common school, and supplemented this with a commercial 
education in a business college in Utica.  Being well qualified for business, he accepted 
a position as bookkeeper in a large wholesale house in New York City, where he remained 
five months, but because of his father's failing health, an in accordance with his 
father's desire, returned home, and assumed charge of the farm, his father then spending 
four years in Florida, in the vain endeavor to recuperate his health, and the management 
of the farm in the main devolving upon the subject of this sketch.  He is keeping up the 
reputation of the farm, and is engaged principally in dairying, keeping about fifty-five 
cows, sixty sheep, forty hogs, and five horses.  Politically, Mr. Parker is a democrat, 
as his father was before him.  Fraternally, he is a Mason and Odd Fellow, having belonged 
to the latter order ten years and to the former six.  He is a strong believer in the 
necessity of educating the young, knowing that ht only basis of free government is the 
intelligence of the people, and that intelligence is their only defense against 
corruption and demogogy in their leaders.  He is in favor of the enforcement of the 
compulsory education law, seeing that to frequently children are permitted by their 
parents to grow up in ignorance.  Mr. Parker is in all respects a whole-souled, genial 
gentleman, and one of the best of citizens.