John M. Parker (New York politician)

{{Infobox person

| name = John M. Parker

| image = John Mason Parker.jpg

| alt =

| caption =

| birth_name = John Mason Parker

| birth_date = {{birth date|1805|6|14}}

| birth_place = Granville, New York, U.S.

| death_date = {{death date and age|1873|12|16|1805|6|14}}

| death_place = Owego, New York, U.S.

| resting_place = Evergreen Cemetery

| other_names =

| alma_mater = Middlebury College

| occupation = {{hlist|Politician|judge}}

| years_active =

| employer =

| known_for =

| notable_works =

| spouse = {{marriage|Catherine Ann Pumpelly|1835|1845|reason=died}}
{{marriage|Stella A. Pumpelly|1854}}

| children = 4, including Charles

| father = John C. Parker

| signature =

}}

John Mason Parker (June 14, 1805 – December 16, 1873) was an American congressman from New York's 27th congressional district. He served as justice of the New York Supreme Court from 1859 to his death in 1873.

Early life

John Mason Parker was born in Granville, New York on June 14, 1805, to John C. Parker. His father was a justice of the New York Supreme Court. He attended Granville Academy and Castleton Seminary, graduated from Middlebury College in 1828.{{Cite web |url=https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/P000064 |title=Parker, John Mason |work=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress |access-date=2024-08-18}}{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_tH0_AAAAYAAJ/page/n25/mode/2up |title=New York State Men: Biographic Studies and Character Portraits |last=Hills |first=Frederick S. |publisher=The Argue Company |year=1910 |page=26 |via=Archive.org |access-date=2024-08-18}}{{Open access}}{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/ourcountyitspeop00king/page/n169/mode/2up |title=Our County and Its People: A Memorial History of Tioga County, New York |editor-last=Kingman |editor-first=Leroy W. |publisher=W. A. Fergusson & Co. |year=1900 |pages=64,141–142 |via=Archive.org |access-date=2024-08-18}}{{Open access}}Middlebury College, [https://books.google.com/books?id=TapBAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA85 Catalogue of Officers and Students of Middlebury College], 1917, page 85 He read law in the office of John P. Cushman in Troy. He was admitted to the bar in 1833.{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/cu31924024792420/page/n387/mode/2up |title=Historical Gazetteer of Tioga County, New York, 1785–1888 |editor-last=Gay |editor-first=W. B. |pages=343–345 |year=1888 |publisher=W. B. Gay & Co. |via=Archive.org |access-date=2024-08-18}}{{Open access}}

Career

Parker began a practice in Owego, New York, in 1833. In 1854, Parker was elected to Congress, representing the 27th district (later the 28th district) as an Opposition Party candidate, and he was reelected as a Republican in 1856, serving from March 4, 1855 to March 3, 1859. Parker was not a candidate for renomination in 1858.Everts & Ensign, [https://books.google.com/books?id=rKsQAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA180-IA1 History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins, and Schuyler Counties, New York], 1879, page 180

On November 8, 1859, Parker was elected justice of the New York Supreme Court to an eight-year term. He was re-elected in 1867 to a term of 14 years. On December 25, 1870, he was appointed to a general term by Governor John T. Hoffman and served as a justice with the third department of the court. He served with the court until his death. During his time on the bench, Parker was appointed as a sitting judge on the New York Court of Appeals in January 1867.

He was a charter trustee of Cornell University from 1865 to 1870.Cornell University, [https://books.google.com/books?id=qTElAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA8 The Ten-year Book of Cornell University], 1878, page 8

Personal life

Parker married Catherine Ann Pumpelly, daughter of Charles Pumpelly, of Owego in September 1835. They had four children, including Charles and Francis Henry. His son Charles also served on the New York Supreme Court. His wife died in 1845. He married Stella A. Pumpelly, another daughter of Charles Pumpelly, on March 1, 1854. He was a member of St. Paul's Church in Owego.

Parker died at his home in Owego on December 16, 1873, and was buried in Owego's Evergreen Cemetery.