Byrd Parker

An African-American pastor from Oshkosh, Parker was a well-known orator on behalf of the anti-slavery cause and the rights of blacks.

• See the H. Ford Douglass appearances in Wisconsin with Parker

• Oshkosh Courier, May 4, 1860
  "Byrd Parker, of this city, the well known Negro preacher and Lecturer, died of Congestion of the lungs while absent on a lecturing tour in the country last Monday. He was ill only two days. His funeral took place on Wednesday from the Congregational Church."

• Waupun Times, May 9, 1860
  "The Oshkosh Democrat announces the death of Byrd Parker, in some degree a representative man of the colored population of this state. He was on a lecturing tour, and was taken suddenly ill, while lecturing on Saturday evening and died at seven o'clock on Monday morning, the 30th ult. Mr. Parker frequently lectured in this village, and was well known to many of our Citizens."