John F. Parks Biography


	This biography appears on pages 55-56 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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				HON. JOHN F. PARKS. 

	Hon. John F. Parks is the superintendent of the Hot Springs 
Water, Light & Power Company, in which position he is now serving for 
his eighteenth year. Public trust has been reposed in him in other 
connections and his record has at all times been such as would bear the 
closest investigation and scrutiny. He was born at Louisville, 
Kentucky, May 2, 1860, a son of Joshua B. and Mary E. (Herr) Parks, 
both of whom were natives of Kentucky, born near Louisville. In early 
life the father followed farming in that state and about 1879 left 
Kentucky with his family, going to Chicago, Illinois, where he engaged 
in the hotel business for a decade. He arrived in the Black Hills in 
the year 1890, settling at Hot Springs, where he lived practically 
retired. He served as police magistrate for a number of years, but did 
not engage actively in business because he had come to the northwest 
for the benefit of his health. Here he lived retired until his death, 
which occurred about 1901, while his wife passed away several years 
later. While in Kentucky he represented his district in the state 
legislature and was prominent in other connections there. He conducted 
a large livery business in Louisville, was a lover of fine horses and 
an excellent judge of horse flesh. His wife's people were among the 
pioneers of Kentucky who went to that state with Daniel Boone, and they 
were noted hunters during that period when Kentucky was known as the 
dark and bloody ground. 

	John F. Parks was the second in a family of four children and 
after attending a private school in his native state he continued his 
education in Rugby College at Louisville. When a youth of seventeen 
years he was employed as bookkeeper by his father, whom he assisted 
generally until a short time after the family removed to Chicago. He 
then entered the employ of the Central Union Telephone Company as clerk 
and bookkeeper and continued with them for a period of ten years. He 
next entered a bank in Englewood, now a part of the city of Chicago, as 
a bookkeeper, remaining there for about a year, after which he removed 
to Hot Springs, South Dakota, and became cashier of the First National 
Bank. When he had occupied that position for about two years he 
resigned and turned his attention to the real-estate and insurance 
business, in which he is still engaged. Few men have more intimate or 
accurate knowledge concerning realty values or know more concerning the 
property that is upon the market than Mr. Parks. He has also figured 
prominently in other business connections, having been elected 
president of the Peoples National Bank, in which capacity he served for 
five years, while at this writing in 1915, he is one of its directors. 
He is likewise president of the Evans Quarries, is president of the 
Parks & Marty Company and has been connected with many other important 
enterprises of his city. In business affairs he displays sound 
judgment, unfaltering: enterprise and notable sagacity. Centuries ago 
an old Greek sage said: "Earn thy reward; the gods give nought to 
sloth." Mr. Parks early recognized the spirit of that admonition and 
throughout his business career industry has been the beacon light of 
his life. 

	On the 2d of June, 1887, occurred the marriage of Mr. Parks and 
Miss Sallie M. Wilson who was born near New Albany, Indiana, a daughter 
of James A. and Eleanor (Clark) Wilson both of whom were natives of 
Kentucky. Her father was a photographer of New Albany for thirty-five 
years or longer and both he and his wife have now passed away. The 
latter died in Hot Springs and her remains were returned to Louisville 
for burial beside those of her husband. To Mr. and Mrs. Parks have been 
born six children. Walter E., who married Miss Theresa Keenan, resides 
at Hot Springs and under his father is connected with the Hot Springs 
Water, Light & Power Company, being assistant auditor of the company. 
James Floyd, the second of the family, is at home. Stanley M. was 
graduated from the high school with the class of 1914. Nellie is the 
wife of W. J. Schilleman, a printer residing at Casper Wyoming. Margie 
W. and Gertrude J. are both at home. 

	Mr. Parks occupies a prominent position in connection with 
fraternal interests, being identified with various organizations. He is 
an Elk, an Odd Fellow, a Yeoman, and he also has membership with the 
Modern Woodmen of America, the Modern Brotherhood of America and the 
Ancient Order of United Workmen. His religious belief is that of the 
Christian Science church and his political faith is that of the 
republican party. He has served as county auditor for five years and as 
city auditor for nine years and has been a member of the board of 
education of Hot Springs for about eight years. In 1912 he was elected 
to the state senate and at the present time he is superintendent of the 
Hot Springs Water, Light & Power Company, having occupied that position 
for eighteen years. No trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed in 
the slightest degree and in all of his official service he has placed 
the public good before personal aggrandizement.