Isaiah Franklin Palmer was born on May 16, 1844, in Barlow, Ohio, to Joseph Palmer and Miranda Chapman. His father was a farmer who owned $2,000 of real estate and $800 of personal property in 1860. Palmer grew up and attended school in Barlow. He enlisted in the Union army on May 2, 1864, and mustered in as a sergeant in the 148th Ohio Infantry later that day. The regiment spent the next few months stationed in City Point, Virginia. Palmer mustered out on September 14, 1864, when his 100-day term of enlistment expired.
Palmer returned to his parents’ household in Barlow after leaving the army, and he married Adaline Pugh on December 25, 1866. Their son Carroll was born around 1869. Palmer worked as a farmer, and they remained in his parent’s household until at least 1880. He remained in Barlow for the rest of his life. His wife Adaline died on July 18, 1907, and he followed on February 7, 1919.