Judge Willett H. Parr

JUDGE WILLETT H. PARR.

HON. W. H. PARR

Standing out distinctly as one of the central figures of the judiciary of the section of Indiana of which this history treats is the name of Judge Willett H. Parr, of Lebanon. Prominent in legal circles and equally so in public matters beyond the confines of his own jurisdiction, with a reputation in one of the most exacting of professions that has won him a name for distinguished service second to that of none of his contemporaries, there is today no more prominent or honored man in Boone county of which he is a native and which he has always dignified with his citizenship. Achieving success in the courts at an age when most young men are just entering upon the formative period of their lives, wearing the judicial ermine with becoming dignity and bringing to every case submitted to him a clearness of perception and ready power of analysis characteristic of the learned jurist, his name and work for years have been allied with the legal institutions, public enterprises and political interests of northern Indiana in such a way as to earn him recognition as one of the leading citizens in a community noted for the high order of its talent. A high purpose and an unconquerable will, vigorous mental powers and devotion to duty are some of the means by which he has made himself eminently useful, and every ambitious youth who fights the battle of life with the prospect of ultimate success may peruse with profit the biography herewith presented. For the judge has not only won success in a chosen field of endeavor, but is popular, possessing to a marked degree the characteristics that win and retain warm friendships. By his kindness and courtesy he has won an abiding place in the esteem of his fellow citizens and by his intelligence, energy and enterprising spirit has made his influence felt among his acquaintances and associates, and as a result occupies no small place in the favor of the public.

Judge Parr was born December 24, 1878 on a farm in Center township, Boone county, four miles southwest of Lebanon. He is a son of Jesse A. and Anna M. (Maggard) Parr, both natives of Johnson county, Indiana, but they both came to Boone county when young and were married here. The father was a minister in the Christian church, but in later years he studied medicine and is now a practicing physician in Indianapolis. His wife died when the future Judge was only three months of age, in the spring of 1879, so the lad was reared on the farm of his grandfather, by his grandfather and grandmother, remaining there until he was fifteen years old. His grandmother died when he was ten years of age and his grandfather when he was eighteen years of age. He then became a member of the household of his uncle, Asa A. Maggard, whom he assisted in the general work on his farm meantime attending the district schools. During this period he worked in a sawmill one summer, when he was fourteen years of age, walking two and one-half miles in the morning and back home in the evening. After graduating from the country schools in 1895 he entered the summer term in the Lebanon Normal, and in the fall of 1896, when seventeen years old, he began teaching school, which vocation he followed five years, giving satisfaction to all concerned. In the summer of 1897 he attended the State Normal at Terre Haute and in the summer of 1898 studied at the Marion Normal, thereby completing his literary education as far as schools were concerned, but ambitious and industrious he remained a close student and became a highly educated man. In the summer of 1898 he became a law student in the office of A. J. Shelby of Lebanon and, making rapid progress, was admitted to the bar of Boone county in April, 1900, and was subsequently admitted to practice in all the state courts and the federal court. He opened an office and began practicing in Lebanon, April 10, 1901, in partnership with Alva D. Swope, under the firm name of Swope & Parr, which continued only a few months, however, our subject then forming a partnership with E. O. Rogers, now mayor of Lebanon. This partnership continued from February 1, 1902 until Mr. Parr was elected Judge of the Circuit Court in November, 1908, for a term of six years, which expired November 10, 1914, when he was elected to succeed himself for another term. As an attorney he had been successful from the first and built up an extensive and lucrative practice, taking a position in the front ranks of the local attorneys. He is a member of the Indiana State Bar Association.

Politically, Judge Parr is an uncompromising Democrat and has been active and influential in local political affairs since attaining his majority. In 1902 he was a candidate for the nomination of prosecuting attorney, and after making a splendid race was defeated by but two votes in the convention. In 1904 he was nominated by acclamation for representative to the legislature and while he led his ticket in Boone county, was defeated. He has always been active in party organization, and has been a frequent delegate to district and state conventions. He received the nomination for Circuit Judge in 1908 by acclamation and led his ticket in the following election, his majority being three hundred and sixty-five, and he assumed the duties of office November 10, 1908. As judge, Mr. Parr more than met the expectations of his friends and the public, and has so discharged his duties of office as to receive the hearty approval and warm commendation of the bar, without regard to party. He brought to the bench a dignity becoming the high position, and in the line of duty, is industrious, careful and singularly painstaking, which, combined with his sterling honesty and fearlessness of purpose, makes him one of the most popular and efficient men ever called to preside over the courts of this circuit. It is but just to say and greatly to his credit that no political prejudice, bias or zeal, was ever allowed to deflect his mind from its honest convictions, and while discharging his official functions, personal ties and friendships, as well as his own interests and opinions were lost sight of in his conscientious efforts to render equal and enact justice to those whose affairs were adjudicated in his court. His opinions and decisions attest his eminent fitness for judicial positions, being always lucid, unstrained and vigorous, his statements full and comprehensive, and his analysis and interpretations of the law conspicuous and complete.

Fraternally, Judge Parr is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Encampment, in fact, embracing all branches of Odd Fellowship. He and his family are members of the Methodist church.

The domestic life of Judge Parr began July 16, 1899, when he led to the hymeneal altar a lady of culture and refinement, known in her maidenhood as Carrie B. Billingsly, a daughter of Robert D. and Mary J. (Brenninger) Billingsly, a prominent Boone county family, a complete sketch appearing elsewhere in this work. Mr. Billingsly, who is still living, having been one of our pioneers. His wife departed this life in 1896. Mrs. Parr grew to womanhood in Boone county and received a good education in the local schools. The union of the Judge and wife has been blessed by the birth of three children, living, and two died in infancy, Virlie O. and the other unnamed: the surviving are, Willett H., Jr., born March 18, 1903; Anna Belle, born August 1, 1908; and Ana A., born November 2, 1910.

The Judge is a man of high Christian character and he is active in church and Sunday school work, a member of the official board and a teacher of the men's Bible class.

Source Citation: Boone County Biographies [database online] Boone County INGenWeb. 2008. <http://www.rootsweb.com/~inboone> Original data: Hon. L. M. Crist. "History of Boone County, Indiana : With biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of old families." Indianapolis, Ind.: A. W. Bowen, 1914. pp 588-593.

Transcribed by: T. Stover - October 5, 2008