Prosper P. Parker

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Prosper P. Parker
Barnston, Quebec
, Canada
DiedMarch 16, 1918(1918-03-16) (aged 82)
Burial placeGreenwood Memorial Cemetery, Phoenix, Arizona
Spouse
Susan F. Herrick
​
​
(m. 1865; died 1911)​
Children3

Prosper Powell Parker (December 26, 1835 – March 16, 1918) was a Canadian-born American engineer and politician. During the

William T. Sherman, rising to the rank of captain. Following the war he served on the committee that organized Towner County, North Dakota, before moving to Arizona Territory. In Arizona he was twice elected to the territorial legislature and became Speaker of the House during the 21st Arizona Territorial Legislature
.

Biography

Parker was born to Alpheus and Susan Roxanna (Crooker) Parker on December 26, 1835, in

Barnston, Lower Canada.[1][2] His father was a local farmer while his mother was from Vermont.[3] Young Parker was educated in local schools and at Barnstown Academy.[1] At age 18, he began teaching in local schools before working a year as a clerk at a store in Magog, Province of Canada.[4]

In 1858, Parker accepted a position as a school teacher in

Denver, Colorado.[3] After a summer of prospecting he returned to his teaching position in Missouri.[2]

At the beginning of the

Atlanta Campaign.[4] Despite participating in multiple battles, Parker was not wounded during the war.[2] Following the capture of Atlanta, Parker's regiment began mustering out excess officers. He was promoted to captain in July 1864 and discharge from the Union Army before the end of the year.[4]

Parker married Susan F. Herrick of Missouri in January 1865.[3] The union produced a daughter and three sons: Angie Belle, Earl H., Henry Clay, and James A.[5]

Following his wedding, Parker worked as a farmer and in a store before being elected register of deeds for Pike county and serving as a clerk for the district court. After four years working in government he became a railroad contractor, first for the

Chicago & Alton Railroad and then the St. Louis, Hannibal & Keokuk. During this time he also studied surveying.[5] In 1884, Parker moved to Devils Lake, North Dakota, where he engaged in farming and ranching. Parker served as a county court clerk and was appointed to a commission that organized Towner county, including selection of the county seat and construction of the county court house.[5]

Parker became a contractor for the South Gila canal in Yuma County, Arizona Territory, in 1888.[2] In April the next year he moved to Phoenix where he would make his home for the rest of his life.[5] Parker worked as a mining and civil engineer and specialized in irrigation projects.[2] He promoted the Rio Verde canal and performed surveying work for the project.[5] Parker was president of both the Rio Verde Canal Company and the Arizona Copper Mountain Mining Company, which operated mines in the New River mining district.[6]

Politically, Parker was a member of the

Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.[2] Other memberships included the Grand Army of the Republic, Sons of the American Revolution, and the Arizona Society of Civil Engineers.[7]

Parker's wife, Susan, died on June 12, 1911.[8] Parker died on March 16, 1918.[2] He was buried in Phoenix's Greenwood memorial Cemetery.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Goff 1998, p. 34.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Judge Prosper P. Parker Called by Death After Long and Useful Life". Arizona Republican. Phoenix, Arizona. March 17, 1918. p. 14.
  3. ^ a b c d e Conners 1913, p. 425.
  4. ^ a b c Chapman Publishing Co. 1901, p. 83.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Chapman Publishing Co. 1901, p. 84.
  6. ^ a b c Goff 1998, p. 35.
  7. ^ a b c Conners 1913, p. 426.
  8. ^ "Well Known Woman Summoned by Death". Arizona Republican. Phoenix, Arizona Territory. June 13, 1911. sec. 2 p. 1.

External links
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