WILLIAM W. PARKER
William W. Parker was one of the pioneers of Atlantic. He came to Cass county about the middle of June, 1868, and after looking around for a location, settled upon the town site of Atlantic. His house was the third one raised and the first one plastered in the town. It is still standing, on the west side of Chesnut [sic Chestnut] Street on the corner of Third, and is now used as an ice cream saloon. He kept boarders at first, but in January, 1870, in connection with John W. Winslow, he embarked in the dry goods business, and continued in the same till September, 1881, when he retired from active business pursuits to enjoy the fruits of a busy and well-spent life. He was born in Marshall, Highland county, Ohio, January 18, 1831, and is the son of James R. and Anna Weyer, (Parker) both natives of Ohio. When he was two years of age his parents removed to Indiana, and again in 1835, they removed to Illinois. From there his father enlisted in the army in which he was quartermaster. On returning, he died at Prairie City in October, 1863. William lived in Fulton county, Illinois, until coming out here, and was married there December 31, 1854, to Emily Walker. They had five children, three of whom are living--Anna M., now the wife of J. N. Burson, residing in Chicago; Mary O. and Frank M. Mrs. Parker died September 2, 1878. Mr. Parker's property interests, which are quite extensive, are located in Atlantic. He erected the fine brick building used by Burson as a book store, among others. When he came to Atlantic, his means were limited, but by the exercise of shrewd business qualities and good judgment, he has amassed a large property, while aiding in the building up of Atlantic. He was a director in the first school board of the town, and was a member of the council for nine years.
Contributed by Lisa Varnes-Rex from "History of Cass County, Iowa. Together With Sketches of its Towns, Villages and Townships, Educational, Civil, Military and Political History: Portraits of Prominent Persons, and Biographies of Old Settlers and Representative Citizens." Springfield, Ill.: Continental Historical Company, 1884, pg. 870.
