Biographical Sketch of Rodolphus G. Parker, Greene County, Missouri,
North Springfield

>From "History of Greene County, Missouri," St. Louis: Western
Historical Company, 1883.

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Mr. Parker is the son of Joseph and Catherine (Adams) Parker, who were
natives of Maine.  His ancestors upon his mother's side, the Stillsons,
were the original settlers of Deer Island, now a noted summer resort
upon the shore of Maine. R. G. Parker was born in Hancock county, Maine
January 21, 1830.  In 1845 his parents moved to Ottawa county, Ohio,
where he grew to manhood, and was educated at the common schools and at
Oberlin College.  In 1853 he graduated at Bryant & Stratton's commer-
cial college, Cleveland, Ohio.  His father was a ship carpenter, and 
R. G. began learning it as soon as large enough to handle tools, and
has followed the trade most of the time since.  He taught school for a
short time when a young man.  In 1855 he went to Kankakee, Ill., where
he was foreman upon the first store building put up in the place.  In 
1857 he took up a claim in Dakota county, Nebraska, where he worked at
his trade until 1859, when he went to St. Joseph, Mo., and in 1860 went
to Pike's Peak freighting.  He returned to Ottawa, Ohio in the fall of
that year.  In 1865 he moved to Odell, Ill., where he remained until
1870 contracting and building, also owning a half interest in a boot
and shoe store.  In 1870 he came to Springfield, and worked at bridge
building for the Frisco road, and has been with them ever since, save
two years.  He is now shipping clerk in the bridge department.  Mr. 
Parker was married December 27, 1860 to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of
Barzilla and Elizabeth Dean, of Ottawa County, Ohio.  She died at Rolla,
Mo., in 1872.  They had six children, three of whom died in 1872 with
diphtheria, within eleven days.  Those living are Talba C., Frank B.,
and Clara J.  Mr. Parker married the second time, October 22, 1876 to
Mrs. Susan C. Hardin, formerly a Miss McBride, of Tennessee.  Her par-
ents were neighbors and friends of Andrew Johnson, who made her fathers
wedding coat.

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