Palmer, Thomas H., 1782-1861

Thomas H. Palmer was an American printer, author, and educator. Born in Scotland, he emigrated to Philadelphia, establishing a printing shop. He later moved to Vermont, where he opened a school and library. In an effort to encourage American schoolchildren to complete their homework, Palmer penned the well-known maxim, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again," in the introduction to his 1840 Teacher's Manual.

Thomas Palmer was the third son of Benjamin and Martha (Barbour) Palmer. With his brother, Friend, he settled in Amherstburg about 1808. They moved to Detroit and engaged in the mercantile and construction business. In 1823, Thomas Palmer and David C. McKinstry contracted to build the courthouse, completed in 1828. Palmer apparently advanced the money because the deed of the lands for the building were made to him. He married Mary Amy Witherell, daughter of James Witherell, August 20, 1821. Their son, Thomas Witherell Palmer, was born January 25, 1830. Thomas Palmer was born in 1789 and died August 3,1868. Mary Amy died March 20,1874.

Thomas Palmer (1789-1868) came to Detroit from Canandaigua, New York in 1816 to engage in trade. He married Mary Witherell, daughter of Judge James Witherell, and their two sons, Senator Thomas W. Palmer (1830-1913) and Friend Palmer (1820-1906) were lifelong and prominent residence of Detroit.

Thomas W. Palmer (1830-1913) became a manufacturer and farmer before going into politics. He served on the Detroit Board of Estimates and was a Michigan State Senator, 1883-1889. He served as U.S. minister to Spain, 1889-1891, and was president of the World's Columbian Exposition, 1890-1893.