Joseph Parker, one of the successful and popular farmers of Pottawattamie County, was born in Lincolnshire, England, June 2, 1851, the son of George and Elizabeth (Beat) Parker, who were also natives of England. The mother died when Joseph was fifteen years of age, and four years later he came with an elder brother, Henry, now a prominent citizen of Silver Creek, to America, settling in Mills County, Iowa, where they had relatives and friends. Here our subject was engaged in farming until 1882, when he bought eighty acres of wild prairie land, at $12.75 per acre, in Pottawattamie County, where he has since made his home. He has made many improvements on this place, which show the thrift and prosperity of its owner.

Mr. Parker was married in Mills County, January 7, 1877, to Miss Adeliza Wilson, who was born in Lincolnshire, England, and had also resided ten years in Mills County before her marriage. She was the daughter of George and Mary (Schofield) Wilson. The mother died when Mrs. Parker was eighteen years of age, and the father is still living in Mills County.

Mr. and Mrs. Parker have four children: Lillie May, George William, Annie Eliza, and Joseph Ervin.

Politically Mr. Parker is a Republican, and both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which the former has served three years as Sunday-school Superintendent.

Contributed By: Mona Sarratt Knight