PARKER, Charles C. - For about thirty-five years the subject of this sketch, whose home is in Beardstown, Cass County, Ill., has been the charge of trains on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, and is widely known as one of the most safe, attentive, affable and reliable conductors on the road. Both in railroad circles and through the community of which he is a member. Mr. Parker has hosts of friends who admire him for his worthy traits of character, as illustrated in the performance of his daily duties for so long a period, and for the social courtesies and amenities which have made him an estimable neighbor and a steadfast friend.

Charles C. Parker was born in Whitehall, Ill., October 2, 1857, a son of Peter and Almira Aseneth (Wilcox) Parker, the father a native of Syracuse, N.Y., and the mother of Illinois, her birthplace being Exeter, Scott County. Peter Parker was a wheelwright by trade, and in 1850 settled in the town of Sparta, Ill., and followed that occupation. He served during the Civil War in Company K, Fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was married at Waverly, Ill., February 14, 1855, and continued to work at his trade until the time of his death, October 12, 1911. His wife died in May, 1880. Their children were as follows: Charles C.; Seymour B., of Chicago; Richard Y., deceased; George, of Little Rock Ark.; and Harry, of Laporte, Ind.

In youth Charles Parker attended the public and high schools at Sparta, Ill., and at the age of twenty-one years, started to work in the train service of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company at Beardstown. For a year and a half he served as brakeman, when he was promoted to be freight conductor. After being employed in the latter capacity for five years, he was made conductor of a passenger train from St. Louis to Rock Island.

On May 9, 1889, Mr. Parker was united in marriage with Lovina Hendricker, born in Cass County, Ill., a daughter of Conrad and Minnie (Hackman) Hendricker, of the same county. The grandparents were Frederick and Angeline (Meyer) Hackman, natives of Germany, and Frederick and Elizabeth (Kuhl) Hendricker, also of German nativity. All were early settlers in Cass County. Mr. and Mrs. Parker have two children, namely: Charles Oscar, of Chicago, born December 21, 1890; and Gilbert Maurice, of Purdue Institute, Lafayette, Ind., born March 18, 1893.

Mr. Parker in politics act with the Democratic party. He belongs to the O.R.C. of Beardstown. The entire family is held in high respect by all who know them.