The Washington times., 1904-07-10
FROM FARMERS SON
TO CHIEF TUSZICE

Alton Brooks Parker was born farm
erIs son: Far back in the beginnings OF
TINS nation, 200 years ago, his ancestors
came from England and settled in New
England. From generation to genera tfon
they were of the hardy farmer class,
ana they drew their love of country
transplanted Judge Parker's great
grandfather was a soldier In the ranks
OF Nashington's army. His father was
lNlng on his farm at Cortland, in New
ork State. when. on May IA. 1852 the
son was born. He did not yearn to be
a farmer. but he learned a good deal
ABOUT what a farmer boy must do TO
Keep himself in good standing with his
own family.
As early as he could do so he attend
ed school at Cortland Academy and
later got out of the Cortland Normal
school all the equipment for life it
could give him. He delighted IN study
ana formed strong desire to round out
all his academic beginnings By a course
at Cornell.
His parents were not able to send him
10 college or even to take care OF him
Wnlle Ne was trying to find a fOOthOld.
At sixteen he became a country school
teacner. There Is a tradition that at
th4s lmma ture age ne was obliged in
oruer TO maintain his prestige and place.
20 thrash the school bully He wander
ed as far afOot from home as the VII
lage of Rochester in Ulster county TO
nnd a school In which he could earn s.
d U<ig as Il teacher-
Earned Admission to Bar.
Having surrendered one cherished am
bition. but not his chosen profession. he
was admitted to the Office of Scho0n-
maker q Hardenbergh. of Kingston. as
a student of law Both men were emf
nent in their profession. Hardenbergh
became a State senator and at Albany
was distinguished for his intellectual
force and for a remarkable power of
concise and forcible statement.
Working his way, he was at last en-
abled to enter the law school at Albany.
gravitating between the Office Of his
preceptors at Kingston and the law
school according to season and neces-
sity. In 1872 he was graduated and
soon after the sign Parker z KENYON
was hung out at Kingston
A natural interest in politics led him
very early TO participate I'm local efforl
In that line. He speedily demonstrated
a decided ability for political manage
ment. From the start he was a Demo-
crat. In lSN, when he was twenty-five
the Democrats of Ulster county, nomi-
mated him for surrogate of the county
lie was elected for Il six-year term
and In 1888 he was reelected.
Associated With Big Men.
whl.o he was thus winning his wav
TO place of honor and profit in his own
town he had attracted the attention of
the State leaders. Samuel ]. Tilden had
inspired him with ideas about govern
ment and party policies. His frequent
visits TO Albany and 10 political gather
ings had brought him into association
with Daniel Manntng. Edgar X Apgar
and other active men, and his clever
ness in leadership In his county had
given him high reputation with COM
petent judges Of political management.
With Daniel S. Lamont-horn a year
ear, er than Parker. In his own county
of Cortland-he was especially well ac-
quainted. They were sympathetic, hold
ing very similar views as to tI,e political
methods and the enlistment OF young
men IL political campaigns.
In 1884 he was delegate to the con-
vention at Chicago that nominated
Grover Cleveland for President. and he
helped to pull he car didate through in
the Eosly contested campaign OF that
year.
Cleveland was elected. and in January
ne turned over 10 Lieutenant Governor
Hill the uncompleted term of Office nc