Los Angeles County, CA, Biographies

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


WILLIAM E. PARKER 
 
was born in Brazos, Texas, in 1847. His father, William H. Parker, was born in 
1807, in North Carolina, and when about ten years of age accompanied his parents 
to South Carolina, where he was reared and educated. He there married Miss 
Elizabeth J. Siske, and about 1832 moved to Missouri, where he remained until
1845, and then located in Brazos, Texas. The mother of the subject of this 
sketch died in Texas in 1847. In 1850 his father came to California and was in 
the United States Government employ for two years. He then returned to Texas, 
and in 1854 brought his family overland to California and located in San Diego 
County. The following are the names of the children comprising that family: 
Andrew Jackson, now (1889) a resident of Tulare County; Martha, now Mrs. William 
Ross, of Kern County; Jeanetta, now Mrs. Moses Hale, also of Kern County; 
Narcissa, wife of John Key, of Los Angeles, and William E., the subject of this 
sketch. In 1855 Mr. Parker, Sr., moved his family to Los Angeles County, and 
located about one mile south of El Monte, and there engaged in farming until 
1875, when he took up his residence in the Green Meadow District, about six 
miles from Los Angeles, and remained there until his death, which occurred in 
March, 1889. The subject of this sketch was reared to farm life, receiving his 
education in the public schools at El Monte. He remained upon his father's farm 
until 1870, and then located in Tulare County, where he engaged in stock-growing 
and general farming. In 1876 he returned to Los Angeles County, and took up his 
residence at Green Meadows, remaining there until 1880, when he located at 
Downey, where lie resided until 1888. In that year he came to the Azusa and 
purchased a twenty-acre tract, on Citrus avenue, and entered into horticultural 
pursuits. After spending four years in improving that place he sold the same in 
1887, and purchased fifteen acres about two miles south of Azusa, upon which he 
is now residing. With the exception of a family orchard of citrus and deciduous 
fruits, Mr. Parker is devoting his land to berry cultivation and general 
farming. It is his intention in the near future to plant the whole tract with 
citrus fruits. In addition to his home place, Mr. Parker is devoting 
considerable attention to farming and grain-raising upon rented lands. Mr. 
Parker is a farmer by profession; and is thoroughly schooled in his calling. Of 
energetic and industrious habits, he has achieved a fair success in his 
enterprises. In 1887 and 1888 he acted as the water overseer of his district. In 
politics he is Democratic. In 1870 Mr. Parker married Miss Frances S. Bohannan, 
the daughter of John P. and Ella (Ramsay) Bohannan. Her parents were natives of 
Illinois, who located in Texas, and in 1869 came to Los Angeles County. From the 
marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Parker there are seven children, whose names are as 
follows: Laura F., William P., James, Harry, Walter, Edmond and George V., all 
of whom are members of their father's  household.
 
An Illustrated History of Los Angeles County, California �  Chicago, The Lewis 
Publishing Company, 1889   Page 791
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler