William S. Parker
The name of William S. Parker is one familiar to the residents of Paint township, Fayette county, Ohio, as that of a hard-working, neighborly and accommodating farmer, whose time and toil spent in the cultivation of his fertile farm have brought him prosperity and a competence. He lives on his excellent farm of four hundred and sixty-five acres located on the Midway road, about three miles from Bloomingburg, and on this farm he has passed his entire life, having been born on August 28, 1860, in one of the log and frame houses now standing. He is the only child of Robert and Margaret (Selsor) Parker, the former of whom was born on November 28, 1828, on the state land near Bloomingburg. He was a son of John and Mary (Whiteman) Parker. John was a native of Virginia and when a young man came from his home in Hampshire, that state, to this locality. He had left his family in Virginia, to remain there until he found a suitable location. This he found in the tract where Robert, father of tlie immediate subject, was born. He was there for a short time, when he purchased the land and brought his family on from the East. John Parker was one of the best educated and most influential men of his day in this section and to the pioneer life of this locality brought many of the finer customs of life as found in that older section of our country and which added a much needed charm to the almost sordid life of the pioneer.
William S. Parker received his elementary education in the Larimer school of Paint township, taking the more advanced grades at the Bloomingburg high school. From his earliest boyhood he assisted the father in the duties of the homestead and when quite a young man was skilled in the science of agriculture and stock raising. Mr. Parker's farm is considered one of the best managed in this section and in every department it testifies by appearances to the thought and care expended on it. Aside from general farming, Mr. Parker gives considerable time to live stock, and in this line of agricultural work he is eminently successful.
On January 8, 1891, Mr. Parker was united in marriage with Eva Creath. daughter of William A. and Mary E. (McCafferty) Creath. and in view of the fact that he was the only child of his parents he brought his bride to his father's house, where the four lived happily until separated by death. The father died in 1908 and the mother in 1892, both being laid to rest in Bloomingburg cemetery. To Mr. and Mrs. Parker have been born three children, the eldest of wdiom, Robert C, is now eighteen years old and a graduate of Washington high school. Selsor graduated from Bloomingburg high school and Kathleen, the youngest of the family, is now attending school at the latter place. All are promising young people, much admired and respected by the circles in which they move. Mr. and Mrs. Parker and their children are consistent members of the Presbyterian church and give earnest attention to the spiritual verities of life, contributing liberally of their means to the support of all religious and benevolent movements. In fact, they are regarded as among the leading citizens of this section, whose support can be counted on for anything which tends to upbuild the moral, social or educational life of their fellow men. Mr. Parker's political affiliation is with the Republican party, although he has never been active in such circles.
From History of Fayette County Ohio - Her People, Industries and Institutions by Frank M. Allen (1914, R. F. Bowen & Company, Inc.)