Theophilus Bell Parker, Washington

Birth: Sep. 13, 1860
Cass County
Michigan, USA
Death: Jul. 22, 1933
Oso
Snohomish County
Washington, USA

As transcribed from the book History of Snohomish County Washington, Volume II found in the Everett Public Library and published by the Pioneer Historical Publishing Company dated 1926. Pages 667 & 668.
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Theophilus B. Parker

Among the splendid farms of the north fork of the Stillaguamish river, in the vicinity of Oso, one of the best is that owned by Theophilus B. Parker, who has long been recognized as one of the most progressive and successful farmers in his section of the county. Many years of persistent and well directed industry have brought their reward and he is now practically retired, enjoying well earned leisure.

Mr. Parker is a native of Cass county, Michigan, born on the 13th of September, 1860 and he is son of Joseph and Mary (Hull) Parker, both of whom were natives of Logan county, Ohio. The paternal grandfather, Haynes Parker, had gone to Ohio about 1800, settling near where the city of Zanesville now stands and of which locally he was one of the first settlers. He engaged in farming and lived there until 1837, when he and his family went to Michigan, locating in Cass county, where he acquired large holdings of hardwood timber land. He cleared up a large tract, created a good farm and lived there until his death, in 1874, at the age of ninety-four years.

Joseph Parker moved from Michigan to Iowa in 1865, bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Harrison county, and lived there until his death on February 18, 1875. His wife died in 1880. They were the parents of three children, namely: Cyrus, born in 1853, who is now deceased; Isaac, born in 1857, who now lives in Michigan; and Theophilus B.

The last named attended the public schools at Logan, Iowa and then took a business course at Oskaloosa College, Iowa. He operated the home farm for his mother until 1879, when he went to Leadville, Colorado, where he worked in the silver mines about a year. He then prospected on his own account for a while in the western part of Colorado and in 1882 returned to Iowa and ran the home farm until 1886. In the following year he bought a half interest in a hardware and implement store at Logan, Iowa, and remained in that business until 1890, when he sold his interest and came to Tacoma, Washington. Soon afterward he went to Bellingham, Whatcom county, where he took an option on a hotel, but, hard times coming on, he let the option go. He then came to Silvana and bought ten acres of land near town, which he cleared up and drained, it being old beaver marsh land, and there he lived about five years, when he sold it.

In 1896, Mr. Parker bought one hundred and forty-five acres of land on the north fork of the Stillaguamish river, two miles west of Oso, and on which a small log cabin had been built and a few acres cleared. He at once moved his family to the land and began clearing off the heavy timber which covered it. He has made splendid progress through the years and now has a well improved farm, including a fine set of farm buildings. In 1903 he built a good house, erected a large barn in 1905, and made other improvements which have made of it a very desirable property. Since 1922 mr. Parker has leased the place and is making his home with his son Glen, being practically retired from active business affairs.

In 1887 Mr. Parker was united in marriage to Miss Addie May Topping, who was born in Illinois, a daughter of Albert and Mary Topping, farming people, and both of whom are deceased. Mrs. Parker was accidentally drowned in the Stillaguamish river, October 22, 1896, leaving three children: Glen A., who was born in Iowa, October 20, 1889, was married to Miss Bertha Keister, and they are the parents of four children-Cleve, Glenna, Howard M. and Thelma Myra. Claud and Clare, twins, were born at Silvana, June 2, 1892. Claud is married and has a daughter, Dorothy; while Clare, who is married, has four children-Addie May, Clarice, Emma and Wesley.

Mr. Parker has taken a good citizen's interest in public affairs, served for many years as a member of the school board and several terms as road supervisor, and at all times has been counted as a supporter of all movements for the improvement and betterment of the community.