The James Parker Family: Settlers in Pleasant Hill
The following newspaper clippings were originally published in the Eugene Register and were generously contributed by Jeannine Milford, whose husband, Richard Milford, is a great grandson of James Parker. Microfilmed copies are available at the University of Oregon Knight Library in Eugene.Further biographical information about James Parker his brother, Joseph M. Parker, was originally published by The Chapman Publishing Company in 1903 in the "Portrait and Biographical Record of the Willamette Valley." Lorrie Verboort has published these on her web site.
Below is Joseph Parker and his family in 1893. Ellis Parker, kneeling at right, was his son.
The other is James C. Parker, the Sheriff of Lane County in 1912. James C. Parker was a son of James Parker and Richard Milford's grandfather.
The following information was generously shared by Theresa Shelby at Ellis Parker Elementary School:
Mr. Ellis R. Parker was born near Dexter, Oregon in 1869. He spent his boyhood days living the life of a typical country boy listening to tales of his father's journey west over the Oregon Trail in 1853. He told of the dangers of Indian attacks and of a Pawnee chief trying to trade 100 ponies for a pretty young girl in the wagon train. This young girl, Caroline Rutledge, later become Mr. Parker's wife, and the mother of young Ellis and his four brothers and sisters.
At the age of 15, Ellis Parker started his teaching career as a teacher in a one-room school near Dexter, Oregon. He taught in other small communities around the Eugene area and then moved to Eugene in 1907 to serve as principal of Geary School. In 1933, when Geary School was closed as an elementary school, Parker became principal at Whiteaker School until 1938. Mr. Ellis Parker served a total of 60 years in teaching. In 1908 he built his home at 1465 West 11th Avenue. They had five children and celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1939. Ellis Parker died in the year 1950.
On November 7, 1960 a dedication service was held at Ellis Parker School. The Eugene School Board decided to honor the work of Ellis Parker by naming this school after him.
History of Ellis Parker School
Ellis Parker School opened in September 1959. The first months of operation, classes were held in Harris school while the Parker building was readied for occupancy. Projections called for 175 students and 230 students reported on opening day from a fast-growing neighborhood. The school PTA was organized in March with 69 members at 25¢ each for dues. The building was dedicated at a program in November 1960. Portions of the starter unit of the school were "roughed in" and classroom additions were made later.
An interesting feature of the school's history is the naming after a long-time local educator, Ellis R. Parker. There was a movement in the community to name something after Parker. Ellis Parker was a beloved former Eugene elementary principal who started teaching at age 15 and served as a Eugene elementary principal for over 30 years. The Eugene School Board held hearings concerning the naming of the new school and responded to popular feeling in the community to name a school after Ellis Parker. Parker has had nine principals:
Martin Seeger 1959-1961
Herman Lawson 1961-1966
Merrill McKern 1966-1975
Gerry Keaner 1975-1980
John Koelling 1980-1985
Earl Harris 1985-1990
Jeannine Bertrand 1990-1997
Penny McDonald 1997-1999
Mike Garling 1999-
Here is Ellis Parker Elementary School today. A fitting tribute to its namesake.
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