James W. Parker Biography

	This biography appears on page 736 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. I (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	JAMES W. PARKER. - The subject of this sketch is one of the 
leading business men of Sioux Falls and one of its representative 
citizens, having here maintained his home for nearly a quarter of a 
century, so that he is well entitled to the distinction applying to the 
name of pioneer, while he has contributed materially to the civic and 
industrial advancement of the city. On another page of this work 
appears a memoir of his father, the late and honored Joel Webster 
Parker, so that a recapitulation of the family history is not demanded 
at this juncture.  

	James Webster Parker was born in Warren, Jo Daviess county, 
Illinois, on the 24th of November, 1855, being a son of Joel W. and 
Rebecca (Colburn) Parker. He instituted his educational discipline in 
the public schools of his native town, and later continued his studies 
in the schools of Hillsboro, Wisconsin, to which state his parents 
removed when he was thirteen years of age. Later he attended an academy 
at Evansville, that state, while he completed his specific education in 
Hillsdale College, at Hillsdale, Michigan, one of the leading 
educational institutions of the Wolverine state. After leaving college 
he initiated his business career by becoming associated with his father 
in the management of the latter's general store at Millston, Wisconsin, 
and in 1881 he entered into partnership with his father in the 
establishing of a retail lumber business in the city of Sioux Falls, 
under the firm name of J. W. Parker & Son. In the following year the 
title was changed to the Sioux Falls Lumber Company, James W. Leverett 
being admitted to the firm at that time. A few years later both Joel W. 
Parker and Mr. Leverett retired from the firm, their interests being 
acquired by the subject of this sketch. The Sioux Falls Lumber Company 
was then incorporated, the subject owning the controlling stock and 
having been secretary, treasurer and general manager of the company 
since the time of its incorporation. The enterprise is one of the 
largest and most important of the sort in the state and the company has 
gained the highest reputation for reliability and correct business 
methods, having built up a magnificent industrial enterprise, while Mr. 
Parker has prestige as one of the prominent and influential citizens of 
Sioux Falls. He is a staunch Republican in politics and has ever shown 
a proper interest in public affairs, particularly those of a local 
nature, standing ready at all times to lend his influence in support of 
all worthy measures projected for the general good. He has served 
several terms as a member of the board of education and is president of 
the same at the time of this writing, being deeply interested in 
educational work and being a valued official. He is possessed of marked 
musical talent, having a finely cultivated tenor voice, and is 
prominent in the musical and social circles of the city. He is 
identified with several fraternal organizations in Sioux Falls and he 
and his wife are active supporters of the First Congregational church.  

	On the 19th of May, 1892, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. 
Parker to Miss Nellie Thompson, who was born in Carver, Minnesota, the 
county seat of the county of the same name, on the 27th of April, 1866, 
being a daughter of Peter and Christine Thompson. Of this union have 
been born two children, James Thompson Parker and Natalie