contributed to this site by George
Parker
at twotexansil@earthlink.net
Generation No. 1
1. Lewis Foster2 Parker (William1)1 was born March 20, 1824 in Highland County, Ohio1, and died October 20, 1892 in Santa Clara County, California. He married Julia Ann Keith December 23, 1847 in La Porte Co., Indiana2,3, daughter of Lewis Keith and Nancy O'Hara. She was born March 27, 1830 in Morgan County, Ohio4, and died January 31, 1911 in Santa Clara County, California.
Notes for Lewis Foster Parker:
I have three book articles on Lewis and his life in California. The articles are included at the end of these notes.
Some thoughts on the articles. They are consistent on some facts, but, inconsistent on otherss. Mostly in the area of his parents and their movement and places of living. Other facts support that the parents went from Ohio to Indiana as the articles state, then to Illinois as one states and the other other states back to Ohio. I tend to support the article where they continued onto Illinois.
The articles also show Lewis going to La Porte where he married Julia. There is two ways he could have gone, one via Indianapolis and the other direct. His brother Branson was married in Illinois in 1843 after which they moved to the La Porte area. Most of the other data is consistent.
The first note I have seen concerning a Lewis, is 1830 Highland County Ohio, Fairfield Twp, census. It shows a person as 5-10(1820-1825). I have several notes indicating Lewis F. is the brother of Branson. I haven't found any real proof, except census records that imply that he exists. LaPorte Indiana Marriages shows Lewis and Juliana Keith married on 12/23/1847. Another Lewis Parker & Catherine Cratee were married on 12/14/1846.
In the 1840 census with his Mother, Elizabeth as Head of household, his age is between 15 and 20. This matches the 1830 census in Ohio with his parents he is 5 to 10.
I found Julia Ann Parker living which what looks like her Parents (Lewis Keith) in Scipio Township, La Porte Co, IN with a one year old baby named Fletcher K. She was 19 at the time. See record for details. Lewis Parker, at this time can not be found. There is another Lewis Parker in the same area who married Catherine Cratee. He was born in NJ at about the same time.
I found a Lewis F. Parker in the referenced 1850 census. The age 26 and birthplace (Ohio) matches everything I know about Lewis F. Also, I have not be able to find Julia Ann's husband anywhere in the surrounding areas of Indiana and she is living with her parents in the 1850 census in La Porte Co, Ind.
I found a BLM land transaction( SN=CACAAA 136709) (Doc #=1048) for 160 acres, patentee = L. F. Parker on 01/10/1868 at the following: aliquot part= SE; Sec/Blk=13/; Township=8-S; Range=1-w; fract. section=no; Meridan=Mount Diablo; State= Ca.; County=Santa Clara.
I found L. F. Parker in the 1870 census listed. In his household is also Julia age 40, born in Ohio and a girl (Looks like E. A.) age 16, born in California. L. F. (Lewis) is 46 years old, born in Ohio, and is a farmer who owns real estate with a value of 18,000 and personal property worth 4,000 and is also eligible to vote.
E. A. is listed as attending school.
In the house next to Lewis, is Julia's Father Lewis Keith, age 69, born in Pennsylvania. This also matches other data I had about Lewis Keith.
Lewis F. , wife Julie, daughter Elizabeth M. is in the 1880 census, also lists his parents birthplace as Pennsylvania.
This 1870 and 1880 census data completely matches the data I have on Lewis F. Parker. The parents' birthplace seems to indicate that he is the youngest son of William and Elizabeth.
Now for guesses, assuming the E.A is Lewis and Julia's daughter, then Julia and her father must have traveled to California, arriving on or before 1854, their daughter is 16 and was born in California.
I found a Major Lewis F. Parker listed in the biographical sketches of Leading men and women of Santa Clara County. The book is "History of Santa Clara County, California", by Eugene Taylor Sawyer, Call # 979.473 H67a or F868.S25 S38 1976 or F868.S25 S38 1922. He was listed on page 592. The articles plus one other are following:
*****PEN PICTURES FROM THE "GARDEN OF THE WORLD" BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, page 416-417; 8c 979.473.F6
LEWIS F. PARKER, the proprietor of the "Spring Ranch" and one of the early settlers of Union District, located there August 26, 1856. The eastern line of his ranch, one mile in length, faces the Mt. Diablo and Meridian line, while the Los Gatos and Almaden road passes half a mile north of the north boundary of the property. Mr. Parker owns 320 acres, to one-half of which he bought a "squatters claim" in 1856 and which he afterward pre-empted and bought of the United States Government.
The subject of our sketch was born in Highland County, Ohio, March 20, 1824. When a babe, his parents removed to Illinois, where his father, Wm. Parker, died, in Fulton County. Later his mother, Elizabeth (Davis) Parker. made her home in La Porte County, Indiana. The boyhood of our subject was of spent principally at Danville, Hendricks County, of the same State, and there he received his education. In La Porte County, Indiana, on the twenty-third of December, 1847. Mr. Parker married Miss Julia A. Keith, daughter of Lewis and Nancy (O'Hara) Keith, and a native of Morgan County. Ohio, where she was born March 27, 1830. Leaving his wife in La Porte County, Mr. Parker, in company with his brother-in-law, Mr. P. G. Keith (whose history appears in this volume) crossed the plains in 1850. They left Indiana on the eleventh of March, and their long, wearisome journey was not ended by their reaching Georgetown, El Dorado County, of this State, until August. During the following two years Mr. Parker worked on Horseshoe Bar, on American River. His wife joining him in November, 1852 they settled at Spanish Flat, and engaged in hotel and mercantile business. The hotel, the "Parker House," is yet running under the same name. Mr. and Mrs. Parker successfully conducted the business until they removed to Santa Clara County. Their large ranch, excepting a portion which is reserved for a family orchard, is devoted to general farming and stock-raising. The grounds occupied by the residence and surrounding buildings was the site of an old Spanish town called "Capitancillos." A portion of the walls of the old adobe buildings was to be seen when Mr. and Mrs. Parker came to the place. Tradition says that the ground where the home now is was the scene of a fierce battle fought in prehistoric times between two tribes of Indians.
Although not in the field in the war for the Union, the unsettled condition of the State at one time made it necessary for loyal men to organize; that they might be prepared to meet possible emergencies, and Mr. Parker was made captain of a company of home guards, which was called the "New Almaden Cavalry," and which belonged to the First Regiment of "Home Guards," State Militia.
Mr. Parker is a member of the Republican party, active and ardent in the support of its principles He has held offices of local trusts, having been Deputy Assessor for a term of eight years.
Mrs. Parker is connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church. They have one daughter, Elizabeth N., who makes her home with her parents.
******History of Santa Clara County -- 1881; J. P. Munro-Fraser; Alley, Bowen & Co., San Francisco, CA. 1881; 979.473.H67;
Major Lewis F. Parker. Was born in Highland county, Ohio, March 20. 1824. When young he was taken by his parents to Indiana, whence, after residence, they moved to Fulton county, Illinois, where he lived until he attained the age of sixteen years. He then proceeded to Hendricks county. Indiana, and there received his education. Major Parker next moved to LaPorte county, and there resided until he started for California. September 1, 1850, he arrived in the Golden State, after having crossed the plains with pack mules. and went to Georgetown, El Dorado county, where he remained but a short time; thence he removed to Horseshoe Bend, on the middle fork of the American river, and commenced mining. These operation he continued for a year, when he transferred his location to Spanish Flat, in the same county, where he mined and kept a boardinghouse until 1856. In this year he arrived in Santa Clara county, came direct to Almaden township. and settled on the ranch of three hundred and twenty acres which he now occupies. where he has a picturesquely situated and commodious residence, nestling at the mouth of a miniature canon in the western foothills. Mr. Lewis has served for eight years as Deputy Assessor under D. M Harwood and W. O. Barker. January 28, 1865, was appointed Captain of Company K. First Cavalry, Second Brigade, California Militia, and served as such until November, 1. 1867; when he was promoted to be junior Major of his Regiment, with rank from that date, He married in LaPorte county, Indiana. December 25, 1847. Julia Keith, who came to California in 1852, and has an only child, Elizabeth Nancy, born October 19, 1853.
*****HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY -- 1922 Eugene Taylor Sawyer, Historic Record Co., Los Angeles, Ca. 1923
979.473.H67a; F868.S25 S38 1976*********
MAJOR LEWIS FOSTER PARKER. A worthy pioneer settler whose name is linked with the earliest days of California and Santa Clara County is the late Major Lewis Foster Parker, who contributed much toward the development of Almaden township, for so many years his home. Major Parker was born on March 24, 1824, in Highland county, Ohio, his parents being William and Elizabeth (Davis) Parker, both natives of Pennsylvania. On his paternal side Major Parker was of English descent, while his mother's people were of Welsh origin. His parents removed to Highland county, Ohio, and later to Indianapolis, Ind., where William Parker built the first flouring mill. He afterwards returned to Ohio, where he passed his remaining days. Lewis F. Parker had a brother, J. D. Parker, living at Terre Haute, Ind., who held the office of county clerk of Vigo County, so made his way thither as a young man and attended Terre Haute Academy, after which, for a time, he assisted his brother in the county clerk's office. He then proceeded to Laporte, Ind., where he was employed as a clerk in a store and it was in that city he formed the acquaintance of Miss Julia A. Keith, whom he afterwards married. Mr. Parker then engaged in farming until the discovery of gold in California was heralded in the East and with others he outfitted with horses and pack ponies and came across the plains, being enroute about six months, arriving in California September 1, 1850.
Going first to Georgetown, El Dorado County, he next located at Horseshoe Bend, where he engaged in mining, going from there to Spanish Flat. Here his wife joined him, coming via Panama in 1852; he remained there until 1856, then came to Santa Clara County, and settled on a ranch of 320 acres in Almaden township, the place now owned by his daughter , Miss N. Elizabeth Parker. Here he engaged in farming and stock raising, the country being then only sparsely settled and quite in it primitive state, so that his labors paved the way for the succeeding generations. Prominent in the military affairs in the early days, Mr. Parker was a commissioned captain of the New Almaden Cavalry, Company K, California Militia, on January 28, 1865, and served until November 1, 1867, being promoted to the rank of major. He was also active in the public affairs of the county and was a prominent Republican; he also served as deputy county assessor under D. M. Harwood and W. O. Barker. The school district was organized at the Parker home about 1858. The question came up for a name of the district; some suggested Parker, but the Major was too modest to permit it. After other names had been suggested Mrs. Parker said, "Why not call it Union district." as the people in the district were strong pro-union. Thus it was decided and Major Parker was school trustee from its organization until he resigned.
Major Parker was married at Laporte, Ind., on December 23, 1847, to Miss Julia Keith, and they became the parents of one daughter, N. Elizabeth, who owns and makes her home on the Parker Ranch, managing 320 acres with splendid ability. She is proud of being a native daughter and is a Republican in her political affiliations, taking a progressive interest in community affairs though her membership in the Neighbors Club. Major Parker passed away on October 20, 1892, the mother surviving him until January 31, 1911, both worthy pioneers whose memory will always be held in grateful remembrance.
Notes for Julia Ann Keith:
In 1850 La Porte, Indiana census, she and her baby were living with her parents.
In the 1880 census, she states her parents were born in Pennsylvania, yet my data shows that her mother was born in Ohio. Her father's first wife, who died in 1826, was born in Pennsylvania. Do I have the dates wrong?
In search of Santa Clara records, found a death record for Julia, Book and page number I - 183; certificate # 1100126,
There are three articles included in Lewis's notes that also give some history and facts for Julia.
Marriage Notes for Lewis Parker and Julia Keith:
Lewis and Julia were married by Franklin Taylor, a Minister of the Gospel. Consent for Marriage was given by Lewis Keith.
Children of Lewis Parker and Julia Keith are:
2 i. Fletcher K.3 Parker, born Abt. August 27, 1849 in La Porte Co., IN5; died February 07, 1852 in La Porte Co., IN.
3 ii. Elizabeth Nancy Parker, born October 19, 1853 in El Dorado County, California.
Notes for Elizabeth Nancy Parker:
The 1870 census looked like her name was E. A. I could have easily think the A. was a N. She was attending school in the 1870,.
The 1880 census indicates no occupation and lists her name as Elizabeth.
There are some book articles on Santa Clara County that were written about her parents. These articles are included in Lewis's notes. They largely state that as late as 1922, she was living on the Parker Ranch and implies that she is unmarried.
*******************1920 Census **************
She is listed in the 1920 Census and generally in the same area as in the 1930 census. Was unable to determine from the census if the street was the same(Blosson Hill Road) The precincts were generally the same, Redwood, Union Precinct 2, district 140. The roll=T625_146, page 5B, image 983. She was listed as 58, should have been 66. She owned a farm, and was involved in general farming. she was listed as single on this census.
*************** 1930 census ***** Union #2
She is head of household in the 1930 census and is 76 years old. Her parents' birth places are Ohio. She has one employee, a farmer. Her address appears to be Blossom Hill Road, can't make out the house number. She stated she was single in this census and never has been married. The place she lives and owns is a farm and has a Radio.
The employee's name is Black, Loal? S, is 53, is married or has been, first married at 21, born in Illinois, parents in Kentucky, Illinois, a veteran of war 2A?
Endnotes
1. Jane H. Blachly, Letter to Aunt Alta reference Parkers in La Porte Ind..
2. Marriages, LaPorte , (pgd0086).
3. Marriage Record from La Porte Co., Indiana.
4. Jane H. Blachly, Letter to Aunt Alta reference Parkers in La Porte Ind..
5. Unknown, Letter: ref La Porte IN, cemeterys.