Parker was born in New York City. He received his education at New York University, and was a merchant from 1850 until 1857. He then studied art, exhibiting first at the Academy of Design in 1858, where he became a regular contributor. He was made an associate of the Academy in 1869, and was a member of the Brooklyn Art Association and one of the founders of the Brooklyn Art Club. He began his residence in Brooklyn in 1856.