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 hand 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 today. 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 en-countered 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.