Her great-grandfather, Elisha Thornton, carried a sword in the American Revolutionary War.

Her grandfather, also Elisha Thornton, resident of Sodus, New York, served in the War of 1812.

For more than a century, from father to son, the Parkers were deacons and leaders of the choir in the Congregational Church.

When Emily's grandfather married, the couple took a wedding journey in a sleigh to find a new home in Lyons, New York, taking with them their household goods.

Twenty years later, their daughter, Harriet Parker, was married to James M. Thornton, a civil engineer, son of Elisha.

The young couple moved to Lafayette, where Mr. Thornton established a large manufactory.

As a child in school, she attracted attention by the excellence of her written exercises and her original manner of handling given subjects.

[2][3] In 1874, she began to write for a livelihood, doing reporting and editorial work for Indianapolis papers and correspondence for outside publications.

On the occasion of her departure from Indiana, when a complimentary farewell testimonial was tendered her by the leading citizens of Indianapolis, in 1880, she made a brilliant address.