George D. Parr, D. D. S. Biogrpahy


	This biography appears on pages 1769-1770 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	GEORGE D. PARR, D. D. S., of Pierre, is a native of the state of 
New Jersey, having been born in Warren county, on the 25th of December, 
1855, and being a son of Levi J. and Margaret (Deats) Parr, both of whom 
were likewise born in New Jersey, the ancestry of the former being of 
English extraction and of the latter sturdy Holland Dutch, while both 
families were founded in America in the colonial epoch. The paternal 
great-grandfather of the Doctor was a valiant soldier in the Continental 
line during the war of the Revolution, while the maternal ancestors were 
numbered among the very early settlers in New Jersey and New York. Levi 
J. Parr became a successful farmer and was one of the influential 
citizens of his section, ever commanding the respect of all who knew 
him. He was twice married, and of the three children of the first union 
the subject of this sketch was the youngest. After the death of his 
first wife Levi J. Parr married Mrs. Lavina Huffman, and they became the 
parents of seven children, while of his ten children all are living 
except one.

	Dr. Parr passed his boyhood days in New Jersey and when he was about 
fifteen years of age his parents removed to Michigan, locating in Wayne 
county, where the father continued to follow agricultural pursuits 
during the remainder of his life. The Doctor secured his early 
educational discipline in the public schools of his native county and 
later continued his studies in the schools of Wayne county, Michigan, 
where he remained a student until he had attained the age of twenty 
years In the meanwhile he had determined to adopt the dental profession 
as his vocation in life, and with this end in view he entered the office 
of Dr. A. H. Lacey, of Clarkston, Michigan, under whose effective 
direction he gained a most excellent knowledge of all phases of dental 
work, both operative and laboratory, and, proving himself well 
qualified, he was admitted to practice in the Wolverine state. In 1874 
he engaged in practice at Davisburg, Michigan, where he remained two 
years, after which he was successfully established in practice at Wayne, 
that state, until 1882, when he came to the present state of South 
Dakota and took up his residence in Pierre, being one of the first 
representatives of his profession in this part of the state. Here he has 
ever since been engaged in practice, and he now controls a very 
extensive and representative business, while his offices are equipped 
with the best of modern accessories and the methods utilized are of the 
maximum standard of excellence. The Doctor has manifested a lively 
interest in all that has touched the progress and material upbuilding of 
the capital city and has been largely interested in local real estate. 
At the present time he is the owner of valuable property on Folsom 
avenue, adjoining the grounds of the state capitol. In politics the 
Doctor has ever given an uncompromising allegiance to the Democratic 
party, in whose ranks he has been an active and valued worker. For the 
past decade he has been chairman of the Democratic central committee of 
Hughes county, and in the connection has ably marshalled the forces 
under his executive control. He was for two years incumbent of the 
office of city auditor, and prior to his removal to South Dakota was a 
member of the village council of Wayne, Michigan. Fraternally he is 
identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Knights of 
the Maccabees.

	On the 8th of July, 1876, was solemnized the marriage of Dr. Parr 
to Miss Celia J. Post, who was born in Wayne county, Michigan, on the 
6th of September, 1857, being a daughter of Cornelius and Eliza 
(Westerfield) Post, the former of whom was born in New York and the 
latter in New Jersey. Mrs. Parr was summoned into eternal rest on the 
6th of September, 1903, and is survived by one child, Grace, who is the 
wife of John P. Erickson, a prominent business man of Pierre. Mrs. Parr 
was a woman of beautiful attributes of character and was held in 
affectionate regard by all who came within the sphere of her gracious 
influence. She was a devoted member of the Baptist church, and was a 
member of the choir of the local church of this denomination for a 
period of twelve years.