1914
Delaware Co., IA History pgs. 491-492
Lemuel L. Parker,
successfully engaged in stock-raising and the dairy business on his fine farm
of two hundred and eighty acres on sections 3 and 4, Oneida township, was born
in Sherbrooke county, province of Quebec, Canada,
February 28, 1838, his parents being James and Harriett Lowell Parker, natives
of Massachusetts and Vermont respectively. He comes of good old Revolutionary
stock, his paternal great-grandfather, Aaron Parker, of Marblehead, Massachusetts, having enlisted at the age of
fourteen to fight for the independence of the colonies. While on board a
privateer he was captured and for a time was confined in a British prison at Halifax, Nova Scotia. He finally made his escape and
returned to Marblehead. He lived to the extreme old age of
ninety-nine years and our subject recalls him distinctly. He and his family
accompanied a colony on their removal to Quebec, Canada, at an early day. Our subject's
maternal great-grandfather was also a Revolutionary soldier, being under the
direct command of General Washington. James Parker, the father of our subject,
died in Canada, but the mother afterward came to Iowa and passed away in Wright county. Of their seven children only two now survive; Lemuel L.; and George W., who is represented on another
page of this volume.
Lemuel L.
Parker was reared and educated in Canada, remaining there until twenty-three
years of age, when in the fall of 1861 he came to Iowa and settled in Delaware county. He
purchased a farm on sections 3 and 4, Oneida township,
where he still resides, and during the half century that has since
passed has made many improvements, converting the land into one of the best
farms of Delaware county. Everything is kept in good repair,
the buildings are substantial and of pleasing design and a fine grove greatly enhances
the beauty of the property. Mr. Parker devotes considerable attention to
dairying and stock-raising and as he thoroughly understands the business has
met with most gratifying success.
In
February, 1861, Mr. Parker was united in marriage to Miss Julia D. Rider, a
native of Canada and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Abner Rider, both of whom are deceased. Of the four
children born to Mr. and Mrs. Parker, Ida and Willard H. have passed away. A.
J. is living on the home farm and C. H. is engaged in the automobile business
in Winthrop, Iowa.
The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church and contribute
of their means to its support. Mr. Parker believes that the platform of the republican party is best adapted to secure the continued
prosperity of the
country and supports its candidates at the polls. For many years he has been a
director of the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company and has filled the offices of
school director and trustee. He is a man of commendable public spirit and has
the confidence of those with whom he is brought in contact.
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