My Genealogy Hound

PERRY PARKER, a successful farmer residing in Antelope township, Franklin county, came to Nebraska in the spring of 1875, and therefore knows something of pioneer life, and all the privations and hardships incident thereto, Mr. Parker is a native of Michigan, having been born in that state in April, 1848, and is next to the youngest of a family of eight children born to John and Tamer (Walters) Parker. His father was born in Ohio, but moved to Michigan at an early date; his mother was born in Tennessee; but they met and were married in Michigan. They now live in Missouri, having moved there in 1871. Perry Parker grew up on a farm in his native state and received the rudiments of an ordinary common-school education from the district schools of the county where he was reared. He lived with his parents till he reached his twenty-second year, going then to Missouri, where he rented a farm and began for himself. He lived in Missouri five years and came thence to Nebraska, settling in Franklin county. He filed a homestead claim in the southeast quarter of section 21, township 1, range 11 west, and there began the life of a pioneer. He had a hard time of it at first, as did all the old settlers, but by industry and good management he has made a success of it, now having a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres, one hundred and thirty-five of which are under cultivation and otherwise well improved. He has usually raised good crops, and, beginning with seventy-five cents and a yoke of oxen, he now has plenty around and is recognized as one of the most intelligent and prosperous farmers of his county. In the labor of making for himself a home in the West, Mr. Parker has been ably assisted by his excellent wife. He married after coming to Nebraska, taking to share his fortunes a courageous young lady, who, like himself, came West in pursuit of her fortune, Miss Serena McKenzie, daughter of John and Mary McKenzie; the former a native of the State of Tennessee and the latter a native of Illinois. The father died in Iowa, 1868; the mother is still living, being a resident of Franklin county, this state.

Mr. and Mrs. Parker have had born to them a family of three children — Jessie C., Clara M., and Dola W. Mr. Parker has borne a conspicuous part in the local affairs of his township, having served on the school board of his district for the past eleven years. He belongs to the Grange Association, and in politics affiliates with the republican party.