Caledonia

PARKER, Luther Fletcher

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, p 300 
(portrait p 300)

Luther Fletcher PARKER, of Peacham [Caledonia County, Vermont], was born 22 
September 1821 in Coventry [Orleans County, Vermont], son of Isaac and 
Arabella (COBB) PARKER. He received his early education in the schools of 
Coventry and in Brownington and Peacham Academies, and while a student he 
taught in Coventry and the neighboring towns. In 1844 he entered the U. V. 
M., but after remaining tow years was obliged to leave the university on 
account of ill health, when he again taught for two years at Coventry Falls. 
He then commenced the study of medicine in the office of Dr. G. W. COBB, of 
Peacham, and after the latter's death continued with his successor, Dr. FARR, 
attending a course of lectures at Dartmouth and Woodstock. He was 
subsequently requested by Dr. BREWER, of Barnet [Caledonia County, Vermont] 
to assume his large practice, which he retained until his removal to Peacham, 
when he purchased the professional connection of Dr. FARR. In 1864 he 
received the diploma of M. D. from Dartmouth College. For forty years he has 
had a large and extensive practice, has kept fully abreast with the great 
advances of medical science for the past half century, and has gained a high 
reputation as a consulting physician in all the surrounding country. Dr. 
PARKER is the proprietor of a farm in Peacham, which he himself operates.

Formerly a Whig, but now a Republican, though often sought for political 
office, he has always refused to serve, except in 1886 and 1888, when he 
represented Peacham in the Legislature, in both sessions being a member of 
the temperance and ways and means committees. He has always been active in 
securing and enforcing prohibitory laws. He was sent, after the battle of 
the Wilderness, in charge of a sum of money collected in Peacham for the 
sanitary commission. When he arrived at the front the exigency of the 
occasion was so great that he gave his professional services freely to the 
wounded in that great battle. He has been a member of several medical 
societies, of Peacham Congregational Church, the Vermont Home Missionary 
Society, and always a generous contributor to different religious 
organizations. On 06 June 1850 Dr. [Luther Fletcher] PARKER married Louisa, 
daughter of Deacon Moses and Jane Adelaine (MARTIN) MARTIN, of Peacham 
[Caledonia County, Vermont]. Of this union are issue: Mrs. E. C. HARDY, of 
Framingham [Middlesex County], Massachusetts; Mrs. W. H. BAYLEY, of Peacham; 
Mrs. G. B. M. HARVEY, of New York; H. M., of Minneapolis [Hennepin County], 
Minnesota, and Lizzie A.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly