Elmer Eugene Parmelee was the son of Syrena S. and Daniel S. Parmelee. Daniel was a Baptist preacher.

In 1860, Elmer was an instructor in drawing and painting in the Grammar School of New York University. Examples of Parmelee’s work are preserved in his family.

Parmelee exhibited landscape paintings at the National Academy of Design during the years 1857 to 1861.

Reference
Who Was Who in American Art