"An Illustrated history of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties : with a
brief outline of the early history of the state of Oregon." Chicago?: Western
Historical Pub. Co., 1902.  Page 556.  Malheur County.

WILLIAM PARKS

     One of the oldest pioneers of Malheur county and a man of excellent
capabilities, being possessed of practical ability and judgment, and a keen
discrimination that have made him a very successful business man and one of the
leaders in the realm of finance in this section, the subject of this article is
abundantly worthy of recognition and especial mention among the prominent men of
Malheur county and this portion of Oregon, being also a man of worth and
personal virtues.
     Mr. Parks was born in Brooklyn, New York, on June 7, 1845, being the son of
Abraham and Jane Eliza (Vanderhoof) Parks.  He was deprived of his mother when
an infant, but received his education and grew to manhood in his native place.
It was in 1859 that he crossed the plains to California, locating in Eldorado
county, where he engaged in farming until 1864.  Then he came to Silver City,
Idaho, and there took up mining until 1871, when he made his way to Jordan
valley, now in Malheur county.  He at once took a homestead and gave his
attention to farming and stock raising.  He was successful in that line and now
he owns four hundred acres of fine, well improved and irrigated land adjoining
the town of Jordan Valley.  He has fine buildings and a large band of cattle.
In 1895 Mr. Parks engaged in the mercantile business, and as in his other
undertakings, so in this, he was blessed with abundant success, because of his
untiring efforts and wise management and careful business methods.  He operated
in company with J. R. Blackoby and in 1901 he sold out and is now interested in
the Jordan Valley Mercantile Company.  Mr. Parks is one of the real builders of
the county, both in an industrial and commercial line, being one of the leading
financiers of the county to-day.  He has an interest in the Ontario Bank and is
also interested in various other places.
     The marriage of Mr. Parks and Miss Julia West was solemnized in Jordan
Valley in 1879, and they have become the parents of five children:  George, a
member of the Jordan Valley Mercantile Company; James W.; Hollister; Guy; Mona.
Mr. Parks has seen all the hardships incident to frontier life, being here and
open to the dangers of the Indian outbreak in 1878, as also in other lines and
times he has braved the dangers and encountered the hardships, but in all he has
triumphed and is one of the most substantial, well respected men of the county,
being looked up to by all and holding an enviable position of prestige.
     

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in March 2006 by Diana Smith. Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.