James Webster Parker Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1098-1101 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				JAMES WEBSTER PARKER

	In Sioux Falls the name of Parker has ever been a synonym for 
business enterprise, honor and integrity, for public spirit and 
citizenship, upright manhood and high Christian principles, a 
reputation which was won by an elder generation and firmly established 
and continued by James Webster Parker, whose name introduces this 
review. He figured prominently as a lumberman, being well known in 
lumber circles throughout the state, but there were other phases of his 
career as pronounced as was his business activity. His name is enrolled 
among the friends and champions of education, while in the 
Congregational church, of which he was a most active member, he has 
been sorely missed. 

	Illinois claimed him as a native son, his birth having occurred 
in Warren, Jo Daviess county, that state, November 24, 1855, his 
parents being Joel W. and Rebecca (Colburn) Parker, who are mentioned 
elsewhere in this volume. At the usual age he became a pupil in the 
public schools of Warren, where he remained until thirteen years of 
age. His parents then removed with the family to Wisconsin, where he 
continued his education, completing his studies in Hillsdale College at 
Hillsdale, Michigan. His father was then proprietor of a general store 
at Millston, Wisconsin, and James Webster Parker entered his father,s 
employ, becoming active in the management and conduct of the store. In 
1881 he formed a partnership with his father for the conduct of a 
retail lumber business in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the firm being 
known as J. W. Parker & Son. The enterprise prospered from the 
beginning and with the admission of J. W. Leverett to a partnership the 
firm style was changed to the Sioux Falls Lumber Company. A few years 
later Joel W. Parker and Mr. Leverett retired, James Webster Parker 
then becoming sole proprietor. He afterward conducted the business 
alone, enjoying a high and well merited reputation for integrity, 
ability and business enterprise. The Sioux Falls Lumber Company was 
incorporated with James W. Parker as owner of the greater part of the 
stock. The rapid development of the business made it one of the strong 
commercial centers of Sioux Falls and Mr. Parker was recognized as one 
of the leading lumbermen of the state. Careful in management, watchful 
of all details and never for an instant underrating the more important 
features of his business, he so controlled and directed his interests 
that substantial returns came in a growing patronage and increasing 
profits. 

	On the 19th of May, 1892, Mr. Parker was united in marriage to 
Miss Nellie Thompson, who was born in Carver, Minnesota, April 27, 
1866, a daughter of Peter and Christine Thompson. They had three 
children: James Thompson, Natalie and Marjorie. Mr. Parker held 
membership in the First Congregational church, to which his widow still 
belongs. In its work he was most active and helpful and his influence 
was a prominent element in moral progress, while his course constituted 
an example well worthy of emulation. He aided greatly in the work of 
forming the plans and financing the construction of the new 
Congregational church. He had a beautiful voice of unusual range, was a 
member of the choir and sang at various gatherings. He belonged to the 
Masonic fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the 
Knights of Pythias and in these was active. For about ten years he 
served as president of the board of education and during his incumbency 
in the of}ice the high-school building of the city was erected. He was 
a prominent member of the Southeastern South Dakota Lumbermen's 
Association and following his death, which occurred on the 2d of March, 
1910, an order was issued by the secretary of the association saying 
that the convention and banquet which were to be held in Sioux Falls on 
Friday and Saturday of the same week would be postponed indefinitely 
out of respect to Mr. Parker. He was a member of the Noonday Club which 
passed resolutions of respect and the flag hung at half mast on the 
high-school building until after the funeral. He belonged also to the 
Sioux Falls Commercial Club and in fact he cooperated in every movement 
that he deemed beneficial to the city. His life was strong, purposeful 
and resultant. To him life meant opportunity and he used his 
opportunities to the fullest advantage, not merely for the benefit of 
himself or even of his family, but for the entire community. 

	The Daily Argus-Leader of Sioux Falls wrote of him: "Mr. Parker 
has so ordered his conduct before the world as to win the respect of 
all and the deep love of those with whom he was thrown into closer 
contact. His adjustment towards life was that of the perfect Christian 
gentleman. With splendid courage he faced the responsibilities which 
come to every man and with high hope he looked forward into the future. 
He was fair- fair in business, fair in discussion, fair in his point of 
view. He bore a man's part throughout life. 

	"His delicate sense of humor has enlivened many a company, his 
fine poise has steadied many a wanderer, his generous hand has clasped 
many who needed it in hearty and sympathetic aid, his public spirit has 
answered every draft made upon it and his high minded life has been an 
inspiration to the comrades who were dear to him. He was one of those 
who took his religion with him to the business desk as well as to 
church and in all of his great list of friends there was not one who 
failed to realize his splendid qualities and who does not bow his head 
in sorrow because of the blow which has fallen." 

	To know Mr. Parker was to be glad to call him friend and his 
friendship could always be won by genuine worth. Thus it was that there 
was almost universal mourning in Sioux Falls when he passed from this 
life but his memory remains as an inspiration to all who knew him.