BIO-Pen Pictures
SURNAMES: WILSON, MASON, STAPLES, HUDSON, HAUN,
Among the rich and productive farm properties in the Jefferson School District,
that owned by Mr. Parker is worthy of mention. He has fifty-four acres, under a
high state of cultivation, fifteen acres of which are producing onion seed;
twelve acres are devoted to berry cultivation, producing strawberries of the
Longworth and Sharpless varieties. The remainder of this land, except eight
acres planted with onions, is devoted to hay, grain, and stock-raising. One fine
artesian well, flowing three inches over a seven-inch pipe, furnishes all water
needed for irrigation and stock purposes. Mr. Parker's farm is located in the
district above named, on Wilcox Lane, one-half mile north of Kifer road, and
about three miles northwest of Santa Clara. The subject of this sketch was born
in Jackson County, Missouri, March 20, 1845. His father, William Parker, was a
native of Kentucky, and his mother, Sarah H. (Wilson) Parker, was a native of
Maryland. They were married in Kentucky, and in 1838 moved to Missouri, where
his father engaged in farming and stock-raising, to which calling Mr. Parker was
reared until he was eighteen years of age, receiving at the same time such an
education as the common schools afforded. In 1863 he left home and started West,
and for the next four years was engaged as a teamster for the different
freighting companies between Kansas City and Santa Fe, New Mexico. In 1867 he
returned to Missouri and located in Jackson County, where he rented a farm, and
followed the occupation of a farmer until 1871. In this latter year he came to
Santa Clara County, and located on the Kifer Road, on the place now owned by W.
H. Ireland, and about a mile southeast of his present residence, where he
remained until 1877, when he purchased the farm before described.
Mr. Parker is an energetic and progressive citizen, and one who is respected and
esteemed by the community in which he resides. He is a liberal and conservative
Democrat, and is identified with the best elements of his party. He is a member
of Santa Clara Lodge, No. 52, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In January,
1870, he married Miss Elsie T. Mason, daughter of James C. and Mary (Staples)
Mason, residents of Jackson County, Missouri. She died February 1, 1871. Mr.
Parker's second marriage was to Miss J. J. Hudson, a resident of Santa Clara
County, whom he wedded in November, 1876. She is the daughter of William D. and
Mary A. (Haun) Hudson. There is one child, Ethel H., born by the second
marriage.
Pen Pictures From The Garden of the World or Santa Clara County, California, Illustrated. - Edited by H.S. Foote.- Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1888. page 235
SANTA CLARA COUNTY BIOGRAPHY PROJECT