Résumé

Private, Captain Bridges's Battery, Illinois Light Artillery/ (later called) 1st Regiment, Illinois Light Artillery, Union Army, Civil War, c. 1861-1865.

Druggist, Theron H. Palmer, Sacramento, CA, c. 1868.

Druggist, Theron H. Palmer, Druggist, Woodland, CA, c. 1871.

Principal, Theron H. Palmer, Contractor, Oakland, CA, c. 1876.

Principal, Theron H. Palmer, Contractor, Linkville, OR, c. 1880.

Principal, Theron H. Palmer, Architect, San Bernardino, CA, 1891. Palmer had an office in the Safe Deposit Building in San Bernardino in 1891. (See San Bernardino, California, City Directory, 1891, p. 139.)

Partner, Palmer and [Charles H.] Jones, Architects, San Bernardino, CA, c. 1892-1893. Jones and Palmer were two of four men listed as working as architects in San Bernardino, CA, in 1892. (See "Classified Business Directory of San Bernardino," Los Angeles, California, City Directory, 1892, p. 834.)

Principal, Theron H. Palmer, Architect, National City, CA, c. 1898-1900.

Public Buildings Inspector, Charleston, WA, c. 1910.

Principal, Theron H. Palmer, Architect, Charleston, WA, c. 1920.

Palmer does not seem to have attended any university. It is likely that he gained his knowledge of the building trades from his father.

Born in Joliet, IL, 40 miles southwest of Chicago, Palmer spent his early years in this state. In 1860, the Palmer family owned $1,000 worth of real estate (a common number among neighbors) and $100 in personal savings. He served in Battery B, First Illinois Light Artillery during the Civil War, from 1861 until 07/1865. A CA voting register noted that a 22-year-old druggist, "Theron Henry Palmer," born in IL c. 1849, lived in Sacramento, registering to vote on 09/04/1868. He had relocated to Woodland, Yolo County, CA, by 03/10/1871, but continued as a druggist. He lived in Oakland's Fourth Ward and worked as a carpenter by 1876. He registered to vote as "Theron Henry Palmer" in Alameda County on 10/12/1876. He reappeared in Linkville, Lake County, OR, in the 1880 US Census, again making his living as a carpenter. Palmer, listed as an architect, registered to vote in San Bernardino County at least twice, once on 05/12/1886 and 08/05/1892. In 1892, he lived in San Bernardino's Mount Vernon neighborhood. He seems to have resettled in San Diego County, by about 1898; a voter's registration record noted that he registered to vote in National City on 08/13/1898. The 1900 US Census had him residing in National City, CA, while had relocated to Charleston, Kitsap County, WA, by 1910. The next decennial 1920 US Census pinpointed his location to Charleston, Kitsap County, WA, living at 227 Washington Street with his wife. Palmer and his wife owned the house free and clear. He appears to have died in 1923.

Theron's father, Phineas L. Palmer (born 10/10/1820 in Spencer, NY-d. 05/05/1894 in Will County, IL), worked as a carpenter and married twice. He first wed Chloe C. Banker (1821–1852) on 11/22/1842, who gave birth to Theron as her only child. Their marriage lasted for a little less than 10 years until her death. His father, then married Chloe's younger sister, Martha Banker( 1823–1893), on 02/16/1854. This second marriage lasted an unknown period, but it is known that the US Census of 1880 indicated that Phineas L. Palmer was divorced by that time. (In 1870, Phineas lived in Alliance, OH, with a prominent book merchant, without Martha.) Both Chloe and Martha had been born in Tompkins, NY, but moved to Will County, IL, before 1840. In 1860, Theron had two sisters, that Phineas conceived with Martha: Rosalia (born c. 1856 in IL) and Mary (born c. 1859 in IL).

The 1880 US Census, noted that Palmer lived with his wife, Marcia (born c. 1862 in MO), and his 59-year-old father, Phineas, who still engaged in carpentry. On 06/01/1900, the US Census indicated that Palmer, an architect, lived in National City, CA, with his wife, Elva N. Palmer (born in MI in 03/1864), and their three children. The census noted that Theron and Elva had been married in 1887. Her parents had been born in NY (father) and OH (mother). His widow, Elva, applied for Theron's Civil War Veteran's benefits on 12/15/1923.

With Elva, Theron had three offspring: Archie F. (born 04/1889 in CA), Violet N. (born 02/1892 in CA) and Vernon (born 03/1898 in CA).

At age 52, a voter's register in San Diego County described Theron Palmer as standing 5-foot 4-inches, with a light complexion, blue eyes and sandy hair. He was an avid inventor, receiving Patent No. 438,016. Patented 10/07/1890 for a "Desk, Toilet and Display Bottle" and for a broom in 1895.