Abel Parker, deceased, was the first permanent settler in the township of Garden Plain. He located in a grove, which has since borne his name, adopting the prevalent sentiment of the pioneers of the prairies by selecting a situation in the timber. Mr. Parker was, presumably, a native of Connecticut, where it is certain his parents, Abel and Elinor Parker were born. They were pioneers of Poultney, Rutland Co., Vt. Later, the senior Parker bought a mill property in the adjoining town of Wells, where he pursued his business until his removal to Illinois in 1836. On the 30th day of June he started, with his wife and nine children, to Whiteside County, traveling with two pair of horses and two wagons. The party remained at Naperville two weeks, after which they proceeded to Garden Plain Township, where they arrived August 29th. The household effects were sent by the lake route, in charge of Jacob L. Parker, the second son. The location of the claim of Abel Parker was on Section 25, township 21, range 3.

He was born Aug. 21, 1772. Clarissa Stephens became his wife April 18, 1799 and their children, six in number, were named Horace, Lydia, Abel, Betsey, Willard and Sarah. The mother died Oct. 12, 1810. Abel Parker was again maried March 7, 1811 to Eleanor Howe, and they had 10 children; David is deceased; Jacob L. is deceased, and is represented in this volume by a personal narration, furnished by his son, James L.; Phoebe is deceased; Clarissa L. and Eliza T. are among the survivors, as is Francis; Erminia is deceased; Edwin and Hiram are famous in Garden Plain Township and sketches of them may be found elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Parker was born Nov. 1, 1789 and died Oct. 29, 1869. Abel Parker died Nov. 25, 1839.

Portrait & Biographical 1885 Pg. 616