Palmer was born in Mount Holly, New Jersey on December 14, 1820 to a family of judges and politicians.

[1] At age 9 his father moved the family to Pottsville, Pennsylvania and Palmer began learning the trade of printing.

[2][3][4] He would eventually become editor of the Pottsville Emporium, a local paper, and later marry Isabelle Seitzinger in 1840.

[4][8][9] On February 25, 1862, he would move the U.S. legation from Parana back to Buenos Aires, following the reunification of the country.

[10] Palmer died on April 26, 1862, off the coast of Brazil, aboard a ship that was returning to the United States from Argentina.