Joel Parker

Joel Parker (November 24, 1816 – January 2, 1888) was an American attorney and Democratic Party politician who served two non-consecutive terms as the 20th governor of New Jersey from 1863 to 1866 and 1872 to 1875. As a Democratic governor during the American Civil War, Parker was one of the leading critics of the Abraham Lincoln administration's domestic and military policy, though he was generally a supporter of the Union war effort. In 1868 and 1876, he was nominated for President of the United States as a favorite son by New Jersey's party delegation.

Early life and education Joel Parker was born on November 24, 1816, near Freehold Township, New Jersey to Charles and Sarah (Coward) Parker. His father was a member of the New Jersey Legislature for several years, and served one term as state treasurer. In 1857, he was elected Brigadier General in command of the Monmouth and Ocean Brigade of the New Jersey militia. He continued to be active in politics and served as a New Jersey presidential elector for Stephen A. Douglas in 1860.

During Parker's first term, the anti-war Copperhead faction came to dominate the state legislature and passed "peace resolutions" which condemned the Lincoln administration along Parker's terms but additionally called on the federal government to appoint commissioners to negotiate a peace agreement. Despite reservations, Parker signed the resolutions on March 24, 1863. Because a peace agreement would end the war and allow the South to remain outside the Union, Republicans nationwide condemned them as nothing less than an endorsement of secession. He was buried in Maplewood Cemetery in Freehold Township. In 1878, R. M. Stults dedicated the Battle Monument Waltz to Gov. Parker.