Bartholomew County IN Archives Biographies.....Parker, B. W. 1824 - living in 1904
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com May 27, 2005, 10:53 am

Author: B. F. Bowen

p.165-167

HON. B. W. PARKER.

   Prominent in the business and political circles of Columbus, Hon. B. W.
Parker is now serving as mayor of the city and through a business-like and
practical administration is gaining the confidence and endorsement of a large
majority of his fellow citizens. None are more closely identified with the
growth and best interests of the municipality than he. For many years he has
been known for his sterling qualities, his fearless loyalty to his honest
convictions, his steady opposition to misrule in municipal affairs and his
clearheadedness, discretion and tact as a manager and leader. He is now having1
opportunity to put his views in regard to municipal affairs into practice and he
is fully living up to the promise which he has made in behalf of a businesslike
administration.

   Mr. Parker is one of the native sons of Bartholomew county, his birth having
here occurred on the 7th of September, 1852. The ancestry of the Parker family
can be traced back through several generations and throughput the nineteenth
century representatives of the name lived in Bartholomew county. In fact, prior
to the year 1800 the family was established in this portion of the state and
from that time down to the present the Parkers have been active, influential and
helpful in matters pertaining to the material upbuilding and substantial
progress and the extension of business affairs here. They have also favored
everything that pertained to the general good and the name has ever been an
honored one in this portion of the state. The father of the subject «jivas also
born and reared in Bartholomew county and after arriving at years of maturity he
wedded Miss Sarah R. White, whose birth occurred in North Carolina. Her
ancestry, however, has long been connected with America and thus in the family
lineage for many generations there has been nothing but pure American ancestry.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Parker were born seven children, of whom all, with the
exception of a daughter, who died at the age of five years, are yet living and,
with the exception of the subject of this review, the sons have all followed
agricultural pursuits.

   B. W. Parker was also reared upon the old family homestead in this county and
when his age and strength would permit he began to assist in the duties of the
farm, at which he worked through the summer seasons, while in the winter months
he attended the common schools of the district. In this manner he acquired a
good English education, but at the age of twenty years felt the need of a more
complete mental training and entered Earlham College at Richmond, Indiana, where
he pursued his studies for a year. He then became a teacher, following the
profession for three years, being the principal instructor in the Jonesville and
Walesboro graded school for three years. His identification with the drug trade
dates from 1881, in which year he accepted a clerkship in the drug store of
Barrett & Houser, there remaining until 1887, during which time he largely
mastered the business and gained a comprehensive knowledge of the use of
remedial agencies. In the year mentioned he purchased an interest in the
business and has since been an active factor in its control and conduct. As a
leading merchant of the city he is well known and his business methods have
commanded him the public confidence and gained for him a large share of the
public patronage.

   It was in the year 1881 that Mr. Parker was united in marriage to Miss Alma
Prather, a lady of culture and refinement, who has been to him a faithful
companion and helpmate on life's journey for twenty-two years. Unto them were
born two children, but both died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Parker occupy an
enviable position in social circles and the hospitality of their own home is
greatly enjoyed by their many friends. Mr. Parker has always given his political
support to the Republican party, of which he is an ardent advocate and in its
behalf he is also an active worker, taking a deep interest in both city and
county politics. He has served as a member of the city council of Columbus from
the fourth ward, acting in that office from 1894 until 1898. He was elected
mayor of Columbus in May, 1902, and in that position is now serving. He is
giving to this city an excellent administration, practical and business-like in
character, and he is also progressive, favoring all measures which tend to
advance the welfare of the city along substantial and permanent lines of
improvement. He holds membership with the Society of Friends. In consequence of
his prominence in political, business and social life he has a wide acquaintance
and has gained a host of warm friends who recognize his genuine worth. He holds
many advanced ideas on questions of governmental policy and no soldier on the
field of battle has displayed greater loyalty than has Mr. Parker in his support
of American institutions and his condemnation of political intrigue. There is no
doubt that had he entered into the methods of many politicians he would have
obtained other positions, but with him principle is above party and purity in
municipal affairs above personal interests.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from

BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY
INDIANA

INCLUDING BIOGRAPHIES OF THE GOVERNORS AND OTHER REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS OF INDIANA

ILLUSTRATED

1904

B. F. Bowen
PUBLISHER



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