Benjamin S. Parker Papers
L123
1844-1923
4 mss. boxes

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Processed by: Barbara Hilderbrand, April 2007

Biographical Note:

Benjamin S. Parker was born February 10, 1833 in Henry County, Indiana. He attended the Rich Square Friends School where he studied law. He was later admitted to the bar. He married Huldah Wickersham in 1869 and together they had three children. He worked as the editor and publisher of the New Castle Mercury and Knightstown Banner. He was the Trustee of the Lewisville Schools. He was a presidential elector in 1880 and served as U.S. Consul in Sherbrooke, Canada from 1882-1885. He was the Henry County Clerk from 1888-1892. He was a Republican member of the Indiana House of Representatives in 1901. He was a poet and short story writer and worked as co-editor with E.B. Heiney on the book Poets and Poetry of Indiana. Benjamin S. Parker died on March 14, 1911.

Source:
Rebecca A. Shepherd ... [et al.], eds. A Biographical directory of the Indiana General Assembly v. 1. Indianapolis: Select Committee on the Centennial History of the Indiana.

Scope and Content Note:

This collection contains Parker’s correspondence and writings, including correspondence E. B. Heiney and publishers about Poets and Poetry of Indiana; correspondence regarding Parker’s poetry, his newspaper work, and requests for advice on writing.  Also included is correspondence regarding Republican Party politics, James Whitcomb Riley, and family matters. The collections also contains Parker’s writings including the subjects of the National Road, early Indiana and Midwestern history, Quakers, education in Indiana, social customs, and the natural and political history of Henry County, Indiana; also included are fictional stories, biographical sketches, and poetry by Parker and other Indiana poets.

Correspondents include, Samuel Holden Parsons, James Mitchell Varnum, J.G. Bourinet, Thomas M. Browne, George B. Cottman, Edmund Eitel, Hewitt H. Howland, W.W. Pfimmer, and John J. Piatt. Poets include, Daniel L. Paine, Herman Rave, George York Melbourn, James William Callhan, Lew Harris, Isaac Kingly, Josephine W. Mellette, E.B. Heiney, and W.P. Needleham.

Box and Folder Listing:

Box 1.  Papers and correspondence, 1844-1923

Folder  
1. Papers and correspondence, 1844-1879
2. Correspondence, 1880-1889
3. Papers, 1890-1893
4. Correspondence, 1894-1898
5. Correspondence, Jan. 1899-Mar. 1899
6. Correspondence, Apr. 1899-Dec. 1899
7. Correspondence, Jan. 1900-Aug. 1900
8. Correspondence, Sept. 1900-Dec. 1900
9. Correspondence, 1901-1902
10. Correspondence, 1903-1906
11. Correspondence, 1907-1923
12. Papers, Undated
13. Papers, Undated


Box 2.  Writings

1. Drafts and Notes
2. Story of an Old Highway
3. Drafts and Notes
4. Drafts and Notes
5. Drafts and Notes
6. History of Henry County
7. History of Henry County
8. History of Henry County
9. History of Henry County
10. Biographical Sketch of Isaac Parker
11. Biographical Sketch
12. Biographical Sketch

Box 3.  Poetry

1. Poetry, 1847
2. Poetry, Undated
3. Poetry, Undated
4. Poetry, Undated
5. Poetry, Undated
6. Poetry, Undated
7. Poetry, Undated
8. Poetry, Undated
9. Poetry, Undated
10. Untitled Poetry
11. Untitled Poetry
12. Untitled Poetry
13. Articles, Undated

Box 4. Stories

1. Stories on Social Customs
2. Stories of the Little Cabin Boy
3. A Backwoods Genius and His Friends
4. Stories
5. Stories
6. Incomplete Stories and Notes
7. Poetry by others

Collection Information:

Size of Collection:

4 manuscript boxes (804 items)

Collection Dates:

1844-1923

Provenance:

Margaret Griffith, 23 June 1932; Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Bufkin, 1941; Henry County Historical Society, 1987.
Access: This collection is open for research.

Restrictions:

None

Reproduction Rights:

Permission to reproduce, exhibit, or publish material in this collection must be obtained from the Manuscript Section, Indiana State Library.  Possession of a reproduction from an Indiana State Library collection does not constitute permission for use.
Language Materials are entirely in English

Alternate Formats:

None

Related Holdings:

 

Notes:

 

Photocopying Policy:

Manuscript materials CANNOT be photocopied or digitized in their entirety. Photocopies and/or digital images cannot exceed 25% of a collection or a folder within a collection. In some cases, photocopying may not be permitted due to the condition of the item. Check with a Manuscript Librarian for other options.