Henry Parkman Jr. (April 26, 1894 – May 27, 1958) was an American politician who served in various offices in Massachusetts and the United States federal government.
On July 1, 1925, Parkman became the first person to announce his candidacy for the new 22-ward City Council.[2] He was elected to represent Ward 5.[3] In 1927, Parkman, a Republican, cast the deciding vote for John Heffernan, a Democrat, for council president. Heffernan's law office was in the same building as Parkman.[5]
In 1928 he challenged long-time party leader Charles Hiller Innes in a high-profile contest to be the 11th Congressional District delegate to the Republican National Convention. Parkman ran a campaign against bossism and stated that "Mr. Innes does not represent the party, but only a small number who have made a business out of politics". It was the first time in 26 years that Innes face a serious challenger. Parkman topped the ticket with 8,055 votes and his running mate, G. Gordon Watt received 7,082 to votes to Innes 6,017 his running mate, Walter R. Meins', 5,989 votes in a contest where the top two were elected.[6][7]
From 1929 to 1937, Parkman represented the 3rd Suffolk District in the Massachusetts Senate.[1]
During World War II, Parkman was a member of the state rationing board. In 1942 he was appointed state Office of Price Administration director.[18] He resigned from the OPA in January 1943 to become a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army. He was assigned to the office of the Under Secretary of War.[19] In August 1944, Parkman was made head of civil affairs in the South of France.[20] His final post was a four-month stint in charge of the military government in Heidelberg under General Jacob L. Devers.[21] He left the Army in the fall of 1945 with the rank of brigadier general.[22] He was awarded the Legion of Merit, Legion of Honour, Croix de Guerre with palm, Distinguished Service Medal, and four campaign stars.[21]
In April 1946, Parkman returned to Germany at the request of Lt. Gen. Lucius D. Clay to serve a one-year as chief of the Civil Administration Branch in the American zone.[22] Parkman was persuaded to stay on and on February 21, 1947, it was announced that he would serve as Clay's governmental affairs adviser.[23] He returned to the United States on September 23, 1947.[21]
Later career
Upon his return from Germany, Parkman joined the law firm of Hemenway and Barnes.[21] In June 1947 he was nominated to serve on the board of trustees of the newly created Metropolitan Transit Authority.[24] Later that year he was appointed by the Civil Service Commission to serve on a panel for federal workers whose loyalty to the United States was questioned.[25]
Parkman had 4 siblings: Edith (Homans), Mary E. Peabody, Penelope (Griswold), and Francis. He married Margaret Randolph Anderson Rotch in 1919; divorced in 1932. He married Doris Montague Leamy in 1936, and had three children: Penelope Frances (1937), Deborah (1938) and James Montague (1939). He also adopted his wife's daughter, Antonia Leamy, in 1937.
Death
Parkman died on May 27, 1958, at Massachusetts General Hospital of coronary thrombosis.[4]