Francis J. Parker Biography


	This biography appears on pages 740-743 in "History of Dakota Territory" 
	by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				FRANCIS J. PARKER. 

	Francis J. Parker is a member of the bar at Deadwood, his native 
city. He was born October 20, 1885, and is a son of William H. and 
Clara E. (Thomas) Parker. The father was born in Maine, May 5, 1847, 
and had passed the sixty-first milestone on life's journey when he was 
called to his final rest June 26, 1908. His wife, who was born in 
Washington, D. C., January 13, 1848, died on the 20th of June, 1913. 
William H. Parker was bow on a farm in Maine and when a lad left the 
parental home, attempting to enlist in a Maine regiment, but because of 
his youth he was rejected. Going to Massachusetts about the 1st of 
June, 1861, he enlisted in the Sixth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, 
of which he was afterward made a lieutenant. He served until October 
16, 1866, and then resigned, at which time he was stationed at Fort 
Kearney, Nebraska. He was then but nineteen years of age. He afterward 
went to Washington, D. C., and on the 27th of January, 1867, when he 
was not yet twenty years of age, he was married to Clara E. Thomas, of 
that city. On the 13th of June, 1868, he was brevetted colonel under 
President Johnson, and in 1890, when Rutherford B. Hayes was president 
of the Loyal Legion, Mr. Parker was brevetted first lieutenant of 
United States Volunteers. After his marriage he continued in the employ 
of the government, and while thus engaged took up the study of law in 
Columbia University, now the George Washington University, from which 
he was graduated with the class of 1868 as honor man. Following his 
graduation he was admitted to the bar upon examination before the 
supreme court. President U. S. Grant appointed him collector of 
internal revenue for Colorado territory, which position he filled until 
July, 1876, when he resigned to accept the appointment of assistant 
United States attorney of Colorado. He was later appointed United 
States attorney and continued in that position until July, 1877, when 
he located in Deadwood. There he was engaged in the practice of law 
almost constantly and was regarded as one of the eminent members of the 
bar in his section of the state. He continually broadened his knowledge 
by further reading, investigation and study, and was always well 
prepared when he entered the courts to present his cause in the 
strongest possible light He was elected to various public offices, 
being chosen a member of the first constitutional convention of the 
territory in 1885, while on the 3d of November of that year he was 
elected a member of the senate from Lawrence county. In 1889 he was 
elected to represent his district in the house of representatives and 
served in the legislature in 1890. He was thus active in framing the 
laws of the state, in molding public policy and advancing public 
progress. In 1902 he was elected state's attorney of Lawrence county 
and served until 1904. He was then reelected, remaining as the 
incumbent in the position until 1906. In the fall of that year he was 
elected to the sixtieth congress, receiving forty-nine thousand nine 
hundred and seventy-one votes. He served in that capacity until his 
death. His life was one of unusual benefit and value to his fellow men. 
He took an active interest in everything for the advancement and 
welfare of his town, county and state, and his labors were an important 
element in promoting public progress and shaping the policy of South 
Dakota along lines which have led to its continuous improvement and 
upbuilding. He stood at all times for law and order and he was the 
first man to suppress gambling in Deadwood, accomplishing that task 
while serving as county attorney. He was a man of generous impulses and 
a kindly spirit which was constantly manifest in helpfulness toward his 
fellow men. 

	In the family of Mr. and Mrs. William H. Parker were eleven 
children. Louis is engaged in farming in Montana. Clara is the wife of 
D. L. Herman, who is engaged in the brokerage business at, Seattle, 
Washington, but was formerly a resident of Rapid City, South Dakota. 
William H., who wedded Mamie Moore, is foreman in the Slimes plant of 
the Homestake Company of Deadwood. Cora, the fourth in order of birth, 
is living at Deadwood. Ralph residing in Deadwood, is a printer by 
trade. Logan also makes his home in Deadwood Theodore is deceased. 
Clarence resides in Deadwood. Francis J. is the next of the family. 
Kenneth and May have both passed away. 

	Francis J. Parker attended the public schools of Deadwood until 
he had completed the eighth grade. Later he continued his studies in 
Conception College of Conception, Missouri, where he did academic work 
for one year, and for four years he was a student in the State Normal 
School at Spearfish, South Dakota. He afterward spent a half year in 
the Georgetown University of Washington, D. C., and one year and a half 
in the George Washington University in the capital city. For eighteen 
months he was a student in the University of South Dakota, from which 
he received his degree, and in 1910 he passed the bar examination. 
During his early manhood he was employed by others at various 
intervals, leaving home at the age of twenty years. He worked in 
Brookings and also in Lawrence county and spent two years in government 
offices in Washington, D. C. It was subsequent to that period that he 
attended the University of South Dakota, where he completed his course 
in 1910. He then returned to Deadwood and opened a law office in July 
of that year. He afterward again entered the University of South Dakota 
and received his degree in June, 1914. Since his graduation he has 
conducted various law classes in addition to managing his private 
practice. He is filling the office of city attorney of Spearfish, 
serving for the second year in that position. He devotes his entire 
time to the practice of law, thus regarding the old maxim which says 
that "the law is a jealous mistress." He is likewise a landowner and 
has some valuable property in Deadwood. 

	Mr. Parker belongs to the Roman Catholic church and in politics 
is a republican with progressive tendencies but has never aspired to 
political office. He holds membership in the Business Men's Club of 
Deadwood and also with the Elks and the Yeomen. He served as a delegate 
to the state Yeomen's convention at Watertown in 1913. He has held 
membership with the volunteer fire department of Deadwood, of which he 
served as the secretary and as foreman. Practically a lifelong resident 
of this state, he has lived to witness many changes here as the work of 
development and improvement has been carried steadily forward and at 
all times he has cooperated heartily in the plans and measures for the 
benefit of county and state. He has various substantial qualities which 
have won him high regard, and in the city of his nativity the circle of 
his friends is an extensive one.