Vaniah Palmer, the grandfather of William F. Palmer, resided in Scotland, then the town of Windham. He married Cynthia Fitch, whose son John, born in Scotland on the 12th of March, 17795, in 1820 married Charlotte G. Bingham. Their children were : Emily C., William F., Henry W., Lewis C., Sanford K., John P. and Charlotte E.
William F. Palmer was born June 29th, 1824, in Scotland, and with the exception of seven years in Springfield, Massachusetts, has passed the whole of his life in his native town. After an elementary education received at the schools near his home, he engaged until the age of twenty two in labor on the farm. He was then for a brief time employed in teaming, and subsequently entered the service of the Hartford, New Haven & Springfield Railroad Company. But the scenes of his boyhood proving more attractive, he returned to Scotland and for awhile engaged in farming. Mr. Palmer, at a later date, in connection with a partner, embarked in mercantile ventures, and. in 1882 purchased the entire business interest, which he now controls. In 1866 he was elected to represent his town in the state legislature, and in 1872 was appointed postmaster, which office he still holds. He also for many years held the office of justice of the peace, and has been since 1874 town treasurer and town clerk. He is a trustee of the Willimantic Savings Institute, and is frequently called upon to act as executor, trustee and administrator. He is a member of the First Congregational society of Scotland, and treasurer and clerk of the society. Mr. Palmer was married October 14th, 1850, to Susan B., daughter of Thomas Webb, of the same town. They have one daughter, Ella Brewer, the wife of James H. Johnson.