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John Christy Parker 1836-1910 |
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John Christy Parker 1836-1910 |
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Typed by: John McCartney - at - johnmcx@yahoo.com
J. C. PARKER. Farming claims the time and attention of J. C. Parker, who resides on section 31, Hudson township, and - is numbered among the early settlers of LaPorte county. He has always lived in the west, and early became. imbued with its spirit of enterprise and of determination. His birth occurred in Randolph county, Indiana, on. the 7th of November, 1836. His paternal grandfather, Joseph Parker, was a native of New Jersey, and he, too, followed the occupation of farming. His son, John Parker, was born in New Jersey, and there remained until after his marriage.
He wedded Miss Beulah Cramer [Cranmer], who was likewise born, reared and educated in that state. In the year 1833 they came to Indiana, establishing their home in Randolph county, and in 1840 removed to LaPorte county. Here John Parker was engaged in farming for a number of years, but subsequently took up his abode in LaPorte city. In the early days he conducted a hotel at Boot Jack, living there for about thirty years. He became widely known, his hotel being the place of entertainment for all who traveled through this part of the state until the building of the railroad. His life was characterized by industry, and his integrity was above question. He was reared in the faith of the Society of Friends, and many of the sterling principles of that religious sect found exemplification in his life. In politics he was a Whig until the dissolution of the party and then joined the ranks of the Republican party. He lived to be more than eighty-four years of age, while his wife died at the age of sixty-eight years. To. them. were born seven children who reached maturity, while three died in childhood. Only two are now living. J. C. Parker, who is the youngest of the family, was but four years of age at the time of the removal of his parents to LaPorte county, and in Wills township he spent his childhood, thus, enjoying the sports in which lads of that period usually indulged, if his time and attention were not occupied by the duties of the school room or of the fields. Early he began to assist in the operation of the home farm, and gave his father the benefit of his services until about twenty-seven years of age.
He was then married, on the 31st of December, 1863, to Miss Caroline Shaw - lived 1842 - 1907, who was born in Rolling Prairie on the 13th of March 1842, a daughter of Andrew and Nancy (McClellan) Shaw, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Ohio. They became pioneer settlers of LaPorte county, establishing their home within, its borders about 1833, their place of location, being on Rolling Prairie. At the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Parker located at what; is called Boot Jack in Wills township, but in 1882 he removed his house to section 31, Hudson township. He has added to the building until he now has a commodious, comfortable and attractive residence, in the rear of which stand good and substantial barns, and these in turn are surrounded by well kept fields. The farm comprises one hundred and twenty-five acres, but most of this Mr. Parker now rents in order that he might rest from active labor.
To Mr. and Mrs. Parker have been born five children:
Minnie, now the wife of LeRoy Grover, of Three Oaks, Michigan, by whom she has two sons, John A. and Carroll;
Charles A., of Bradley, Illinois, who married Alta Hewlett and has four children: Arthur, Mary, John O. and Joseph W.;
Lydia Ellen, the wife of Albert Sanborn, of Los Angeles, California, by whom she has one daughter, Ethel B.;
Lynda Annette, the wife of Walter Copeland, of Bradley, Illinois;.
Bessie J., the wife of Clarence Pratt, who is principal of the schools of Union Mills, and by whom she has one daughter, Ruth E.Mr. Parker has been a resident of LaPorte county for sixty-three years, and Mrs. Parker. has spent her entire life in this county, now covering a period of sixty-one years. They are well known and highly esteemed people, and have reared a family who area credit to their name. They belong to the Christian church, and most of their children are identified with the same religious denomination. Mr. Parker is a. Republican in his political views, .and cast his ballot for Abraham Lincoln in 1860 and again in 1864. Since that time he has never failed to support a Republican candidate for the presidency. In his business career he has been active and honorable, and as the years advanced he gained a comfortable competence through his industry and capable management until he is now enabled to live a retired life, enjoying the fruits of his former toil.
John Christy Parker and his wife are both buried in New Carlisle Cemetery, New Carlisle, Indiana - which is in St. Joseph County, Indiana.