The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1904-04-22
ALTON BROOKS PARKER.
Something of the Life Of the Man
Around Whom Democracy
is Rallying.

| The Atlanta Constitution gives the
following sketch OF Judge Alton
Brooks Parker. Of New York, around
whom the democracy OF the country
is rallying and who stands foremost
for the presidential nomination on
the democratic ticket. New Tork's
delegates having been instructed, by
the state convention held at Albany
this week, to vote for his nomination
at St. Louis:
Alton Brooks Parker was born on
farm in Cortland county, New York,
May IA. 1852. His father, John
Brooks Parker. comes of old English
stock. His great-grandfather, John
Parker. was born in 1851 at Worches-
ter, Mass. He was hard-working
farmer. When the war for indepen-
dence broke out he left his plough
and served as a private under Wash
ington until the American republic
was established. Little is known OF
him except that he was a man Of
pluck and independence and was
greatly respected by his ne:ghbors.
His son. John Parker, was an intelli-
gent man. highly educated and pub
lie spirited. In 1908 he came to New
York state and bought farm at
Cortland, the same farm which his
distinguished grandson owns and
cultivates today. He had large fam
lily, and when his health broke down
the burden fell heavily upon his SON,
John, the father OF Judge Parker.
On his mothers side Judge Parker
derives good New England blood. His
white-haired mother, who lives at
Derby. Conn.,, is woman of refine
ment. education and strong character.
In the summer time she spends the
Judges vacation with him in Esopus.
She is a member Of the Woman's
Christian Temperance Union. The
giant sits before his mother while she
solemnly lectures him on temperance,
and, being an abstemious man, smiles
and promises to be good. Her con-
slant aim is to warn him against am
bition. When the newspapers grow
too loud in his praise he is sure to
get letter from his mother exhort-
ing him to be humble.
Parker's Early Days.
"Alton Brooks Parker" says Mr..
Creelnan, "attended the village school
and worked about the farm. When
1o years old he taught school in a
country school house and established
his authority by thrashing the school
bully. Then he taught school at
Binghamton. Presently he was a
teacher at Accord, in Ulster county,
at s. a day. He intended to go to
Cornell university. and was saving
money for that purpose. but his
fathers necessities drew from him
his slender income and his hopes Of
a university course failed. He moved
to Kingston and entered the law Of
flee of Schoonefnaker & Hardenbergh
as a clerk. Then he entered the Al
bany law school, and upon gradua-
ting he returned to Schoonmaker &
Hardenbergh. Within a few months
he took partner named Kenyon and
opened law Office at Kingston.
For twelve years the young law
yer practiced his profession in King
ston. He had a good income and
won several important cases. During
that time he was quite free from the
control or influence of large corpor-
ations.
an 1877 he was elected surrogate
Of Ulster county. and was afterwards
elected for second term. That was
his first experience of public office.
His entrance to politics was due
simply to his love for his old EN-
ployer. Judge Schoonmaker. who had
been driven ont OF politics. He be-
lieved that the judge had been wrong
ed and set out to restore him in pop
ular favor. So earnest was his CAM
paign that he soon became recog-
nized political factor in Ulster county.
being favorite Of Mr.. Tilden and