David Gibbs Palmer, Justice of the Peace, is one of a family of 9 sons and 1 daughter of Samuel H. and Cynthia A. (Culver) Palmer, of New York State. Six of their children are now living. Mr. Palmer was born in Edenburg, Saratoga Co., N. Y., Jan. 24, 1829; came with his parents to Michigan in 1835; lived two years in Detroit, then removed to five miles west of Ann Arbor, and kept a tavern on the old Territorial road; remained in that vicinity until March, 1841; removed thence to Jackson; kept the Bascom House one year, then engaged in the manufacture of wagons and carriages, which trade David G. learned and worked at until 1860. His father was a member of the first Legislature that convened in Lansing. He and his wife died in Jackson in 1853. Mr. Palmer was elected justice in 1861; in January, 1863, was mustered as Quatermaster of the 1st Michigan Sharpshooters, and served in that capacity till the close of the war. They were chiefly with the Army of the Potomac After returning from the service Mr. Palmer was three years in the grocery trade in Jackson; farmed some years; in 1870 took the U. S. census of the city and three townships; was Chief of Police in 1876 and 1877, and in 1879 was again elected to his present office. He served as Grand Patriarch of the Grand Encampment of Odd Fellows of the State in 1871; was chosen Representative to the Grand Lodge of the United States in 1872 and 1873. He married Eliza P. Barber, a native of New York, in Jackson, 1848. They have 2 daughters-Ella A. and Ruth A., both married.

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