My Genealogy Hound

A. W. Parker, farmer and sheriff, Murfreesboro, Ark. There are a number of men prominently identified with the agricultural affairs of this county, but none among them are more deserving of mention than A. W. Parker, a native of Mississippi, born in 1844. His father, J. C. Parker, and his mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Clark, are both natives of Alabama. The paternal grandfather, Samuel Parker, was born in North Carolina, and at an early day moved to Alabama, thence to Mississippi, and in 1854 came to Arkansas, settling in what is now Pike County. His death occurred in Montgomery, in 1865. This pioneer of several States kept ahead of the tide of emigration, and became respected and esteemed in whatever section he made his home. His father was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. J. C. Parker was reared in Mississippi, married in 1843, and after his marriage removed to Arkansas in 1854, settling in Pike County (then Clark), where he made a home. He received his final summons in 1878. The mother is still living, and resides on the old homestead. A. W. Parker was reared on a farm in the country, attended private schools, but had limited educational advantages. He remained at home until nineteen years of age, then enlisted in the United States army, and served until the close of the war. He then began farming for himself. In 1867 he was united in marriage to Miss Lorinda A. Buchanan, a native of Tennessee, and to them were born nine children, six now living: Emily (died at the age of eleven years and six months), Marietta, Frances, Henry A., George A. (who died at the age of two years and six months), Jacob, Martha(died in infancy),Charley and Joseph. Shortly before his marriage, Mr. Parker purchased a farm in Antoine Township, of 200 acres, and to this he has since added enough to make 683 acres, in Antoine and Self Creek Townships, and has 150 acres under cultivation. The balance of his land is well timbered. Mr. Parker has always been quite active in politics, and served one term as justice under the appointment of Gov. Baxter. He was also elected to the position of sheriff of the county in 1888, and he is the present incumbent of that position. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Sulphur Springs Lodge No. 100, at Amity, Clark County, Ark., and has held nearly all the offices in the lodge. Our subject and his father both served in the Federal army, in Company F, Fourth Arkansas Cavalry, and after the war returned to agricultural pursuits. Mr. Parker is quite active in politics and is independent in principle. He is an influential citizen, a good officer, and one of the foremost farmers He has served fifteen years as school director of his district, and is an earnest advocate of education.