John P. Parker (1827-1900) was an African American inventor, industrialist and abolitionist who secretly participated in the Underground Railroad resistance movement. His house in Ripley, Ohio is a National Historic Landmark ^*.

Background

---

Parker was born in Virginia, the son of a white father and African American slave mother. He was also a slave who was sold a number of times until he was finally purchased by a doctor from Mobile, Alabama. He worked as a servant in the doctor's house and learned to read and write. After an aborted escape attempt and becoming too difficult to control, he was removed to another position in New Orleans where he earned enough money to buy his own freedom. He married Miranda Boulden and they had six children (including Hortense Parker) in Ripley, Ohio.

Career

---

He joined the Underground Railroad while in Ripley, leading hundreds of slaves to freedom. He also patented a number of inventions and founded the Ripley Foundry and Machine Company which he managed until his death.

External links

---

• Biography from the African American registry
• John Parker Papers, Duke University
• John Parker House in Ripley Ohio

1827 births | 1900 deaths | African American inventors | American abolitionists | African-American history