PARKER, Linus, American bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South: b. Oneida County, (N.Y.?) 1829; d. New Orieans, La., 5 March 1885. He went to New Orleans when a youth and found employment, studying Latin, Greek and other branches in his leisure time, and at the age of 21 entered the Louisiana Conference. He was for four years a circuit rider, then becoming pastor of various churches in New Orleans and later presiding elder of his district. He edited the New Orleans Christian Advocate in 1870-82 and sat in the quadrennial sessions of the General Conference held during that time. He was elected bishop in 1882.