[3][4] After he left teaching Palmer was engaged in the ice business[6] in Boston[3] with Nathan B.

[9] Palmer served as the treasure[1] and later president[1] of the Jamaica Pond Ice Company.

In 1872 Palmer was elected to the Massachusetts State House of Representatives, serving until 1874.

He later served in the Massachusetts State Senate from 1875 to 1879 and was the chairman on the Committee for Federal Relations.

[1][7] He exited the Republican Party in 1879 and became a supporter of Major General Benjamin Butler.