When Carl Sandburg began attending classes at Lombard University in 1898, there were two “grand ancient” professors: Isaac Parker and Nehemiah White. As Sandburg remarked, they had white hair and solemn faces. They seemed to say to the students “we believe in books, diligence and decency. If you pay attention you can learn a great deal from the past.”

Isaac A. Parker began teaching at Lombard in 1858 and continued for the next fifty years. He taught ancient languages and literature to many young men and women through the years. His teaching career had began twenty years before Carl Sandburg was born.

Professor Parker was born December 31, 1825, in South Woodstock, Vermont. His parents were Isaac and Lucia Wood Parker. His paternal grandfather had responded to the Lexington Alarm at the beginning of the Revolutionary War. His maternal ancestors included four individuals who were passengers on the Mayflower.

Isaac showed an early interest in books and teaching. While working on his father's farm he devoted as much time as he could to studying books and expanding his knowledge. Parker began teaching in a district school when he was seventeen years old. He received bachelor and master degrees from Dartmouth College in 1855 and 1858. He also received a doctorate from Buchtel College in 1892.

He was principal of the Orleans Liberal Institute in Glover, Vermont for several years. Sarah A. Larrabee was Preceptress, being in charge of the female department of the school. On February 18, 1857, they were married and the following year came to Galesburg where he began his career at Lombard. The Parkers had two children, a daughter Izah and a son William. Izah and Mrs. Parker taught in the Preparatory Department at Lombard for several years. Izah died in 1891, two years after her mother. William received a degree in civil engineering and became the chief engineer for the St. Joseph and Grand Island Railroad in Missouri.

For many years Professor Parker was a member of the board governing the Galesburg Public Library. He had a great deal of influence on selecting literature for the library's readers. He also served as clerk of the Unitarian Church.

Apparently, his hobby was growing Concord grapes. He had a large arbor in his back yard on the northeast corner of Brooks and Lombard Streets. There were boys, including Carl Sandburg, who climbed the fence and enjoyed eating the ripe grapes. Parker came out of the house and stood by the back door. He didn't say a word to the boys, but they were over the fence and down the street in a hurry.

When Professor Parker retired from Lombard University a banquet was given to him by the college in honor of his semi-centennial of teaching. The title of Emeritus Professor was conferred upon him. He had contributed to the advancement the institution and his influence helped the college grow larger.

Isaac Parker died October 12, 1912, in Galesburg Hospital. The funeral was conducted in the Universalist Church. He was buried next to his wife in Hope Cemetery. The Republican-Register obituary described Professor Parker as “a true and model citizen of Galesburg.” Sandburg put it better. He said “Parker's life had reminders of Puritan New England and seemed to say 'There was such a thing as Law and Order and ye do well to know it.'”