Parker was born on May 24, 1817 in Lyminge, Kent. He came to the Swan River Colony with his father Stephen Parker and his family, in February 1830. His father had intended to be associated with land dealings with Thomas Peel on behalf of some English investors.
However, these did not come to fruition and instead he took up a land grant in Guildford, Western Australia. After several years, the family moved to York, Western Australia, where they established a 2,500 acre (1,010 ha) property called "Northbourne". He started his adult life as a landowner.
He purchased a 4,000-acre (16 km2) property in York which proved highly lucrative.
From there, he acquired several other leases in the York district and in 1858 established a flour mill in the town. He retired in February 1882 and moved to Perth to live.
Personal life and death
Their son, Stephen Henry Parker (1846–1927), served as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Western Australia from 1906 to 1914. He died in 1904.
In the 1860s, he was made a Justice of the Peace by Governor Sir Frederick Weld was for eight years the chairman of the Roads Board and was a member of the town council. In (about) 1874, he was appointed as a nominee member of the Legislative Council by Governor Sir William Robinson and held the position for eight years.
