George W. Parker has been a resident of Delaware county for over five decades and for many years was actively engaged in farming but has now retired, although he still owns two hundred and thirty acres in Oneida and Elk townships. He was born December 31, 1835, in Sherbrooke county, province of Quebec, Canada, a son of James Parker, whose life is mentioned more in detail in the sketch of Lemuel L. Parker, of Oneida township.
 

     George W. Parker received a good common-school education in Canada and remained there until he was a young man, when in 1860 he removed to Wisconsin. After remaining in the Badger state for a year he came to Delaware county in 1861 and settled on a farm in Oneida township. He immediately began the improvement of his land and as the years passed brought it to a high state of cultivation. He was indefatigable in his labors and wise in the management of his business affairs so that he now has a competence which enables him to live retired from further financial care arid responsibility. His farm of two hundred and thirty acres is situated partially on section 5, Oneida township, and on section 32, Elk township, and is one of the valuable and attractive properties in the township. Many years ago he planted a grove, which is now one of the beautiful features of his place as the trees have grown to a large size.
     On the 10th of April, 1866, Mr. Parker married Miss Mary J. Fosselman, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Jonathan and Mary (Dunlap) Fosselman. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania and her mother of Ohio, where she passed away. Mr. Fosselman, however, came to Iowa in 1852 and settled on a farm in Delaware county, where he lived until his death in 1886. To their union were born three children, two of whom survive. Mr. and Mrs. Parker are the parents of two sons, E. H., living on his father's farm in Elk township; and James H., a resident of Manchester.
      Mrs. Parker is a member of the Christian church and active in all good works. Mr. Parker is a republican in his political belief and has served as school director and road supervisor. The years of his old age are being passed in comfort and contentment and he is rich in the love and respect of those who know him and in the consciousness of a life so spent that not only has personal success been gained but the general good of the community has been served as well.