Parker President - Button

Alton Brooks Parker (May 14, 1852 – May 10, 1926) was an American lawyer, judge and the Democratic nominee for U.S. president in the 1904 elections. Parker resigned from the bench after receiving the nomination. He chose former U.S. Senator from West Virginia, Henry G. Davis as running mate. Parker was supported by conservative Bourbon Democrats, like former President Grover Cleveland, who had been alienated from the party in 1896 and 1900 due to the radicalism of the party's nominee William Jennings Bryan on economic issues. It was hoped that Parker could be acceptable to both factions since he was "sound" on economic issues, but had supported Bryan in 1896 as a good party man. These hopes were frustrated, however, as Parker had little appeal to Bryanites and carried only the Solid South. Division within his party over currency issues and the popularity of incumbent Theodore Roosevelt led to Parker's landslide defeat. Afterwards he resumed his practice of law. He later served as temporary chairman and keynote speaker at the 1912 Democratic National Convention, which nominated Woodrow Wilson for President. He died from a heart attack while riding in his car through Central Park in New York City and is buried in Wiltwyck Cemetery, Kingston, NY.