Monterey-San Francisco-Colusa County CA Archives Biographies.....Parker, Wm. R. 1837 - 
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Joy Fisher cagwarchives@gmail.com January 13, 2007, 3:26 pm

Author: Luther A. Ingersoll, Editor (1893)

WM. R. PARKER is a native of Boston, Massachusetts, born November 15, 1837. He
availed himself of the educational advantages for which that city is celebrated,
attending the Quincy grammar school and the English high school, and graduating
at both. Before reaching his majority he was employed in a commercial house,
acting as clerk.

  In 1856 he resolved to visit California, and, directing his steps hither, he
arrived in San Francisco, where he remained for two years, employed in
surveying. He then drifted up to Colusa county, laid out the town of Princeton,
being one of its original founders, and opened a general store there. He
continued in this business till the fall of 1858. Looking about for a suitable
location, he found himself in Sonoma county, where he taught school on Mark West
creek till the latter part of 1861. His next move was to Monterey county, in
January, 1862. Here he engaged in farming, putting in a crop on what is now
known as the Beet ranch, near Castroville. Mr. Parker had proved himself capable
and able to follow almost any useful pursuit, his versatility being early
recognized in Monterey county, and he turned from farming to enter the office of
the County Clerk as Deputy, in November, 1862, under George W. Bird. The latter
however, failed to qualify on his re-election, and Mr. Parker was appointed
County Clerk in March, 1864, holding the office till March, 1868. Next he was
appointed Under Sheriff to Thomas Watson, serving in that capacity from 1868 to
1870. He left his previous employment at the call of the people to serve four
years as County Clerk, his term of office expiring in 1874. At this time the
county was divided (San Benito county being organized), and Governor Booth
appointed him County and Probate Judge, which office he tilled two years. Since
then he has resided in Salinas, and devoted himself exclusively to the practice
of law, having been associated with Hon. N. A. Dorn from 1878 till January, 1881.

  He was married in 1863, to Miss Lola Dutro, of Monterey, and their union is
blessed with nine children.

  In his law practice, Judge Parker makes a specialty of the land business. His
knowledge of the Spanish language, of the intricacies of the old Spanish
boundaries, together with a thorough understanding of the Spanish system of
jurisprudence, have caused him to be regarded as the most accomplished authority
on land titles in this part of California; hence his services in this department
are much sought after.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

Memorial and Biographical History of the Coast Counties of Central California.

Illustrated.

Containing a History of this Important Section of the Pacific Coast from the
Earliest Period of its Discovery to the Present Time, together with Glimpses of
its Auspicious Future; Illustrations and Full-Page Portraits of some of its
Eminent Men, and Biographical Mention of many of its Pioneers, and Prominent
Citizens of To-day.



HENRY D. BARROWS,
Editor of the Historical Department.

LUTHER A. INGERSOLL,
Editor of the Biographical Department.

"A people that take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will
never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote
descendants."-Macaulay.


CHICAGO: THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY.
1893.

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