Mrs. Anna Parks, a native daughter of Oklahoma and a member of one of the old and prominent families of the state, is the owner of a valuable farm near Bartlesville and is a most capable business woman, displaying marked executive ability, foresight and enterprise in the management of her interests. She was born on the present site of Bartlesville, her parents being John and Jennie (Downing) Lovelady, the former a native of Germany, while the latter was born in Indian Territory and was of Cherokee extraction. In 1860 the maternal grandfather, Jesse Thompson, settled near the present location of Bartlesville, becoming the owner of a large tract of land which he developed and improved. He was one of the most prominent men of his day, serving on the Cherokee council at the time the government transferred the Osage from Kansas to Indian Territory, and he also assisted in making the treaty for the land for both the Osage’ and Delaware tribes. John Lovelady came to the United States as a youth and resided for a time in New York. In 1893 he made his way to Indian Territory, where he acquired land, becoming one of the well known settlers of the region. Mr. and Mrs. Lovelady reared three daughters: Susie and Mary, who were Anna’s half sisters, and are both deceased; and Anna, now Mrs. Parks.
The last named acquired her education in the schools of Kansas and at Pawhuska, Oklahoma, and in young womanhood was united in marriage to Charles Parks, who is now residing in the state of Idaho for the benefit of his health. Three children have been born to them: Martha, Jennie and Presley, the son being thirteen years of age. Her daughter Martha married J. M. Montgomery, a native of Arkansas, who came to Oklahoma when fifteen years of age. They have a daughter, Hazel Eileen, and a son, William M., and reside in a beautiful home at Bartlesville. Mrs. Parks has also reared her sister’s two orphaned sons, Julius and Joshua Pappin, who are of great assistance to her in her farming operations, Joshua Pappin being likewise interested in cattle raising to a considerable extent. Mrs. Parks owns one hundred and twenty acres of well cultivated land situated three miles south of Bartlesville, of which she has had exclusive supervision for the past three years, this being a part of the original homestead owned by her father, for whom she entertained deep affection and respect. The land is perfectly level and the soil is rich and arable, owing to the care and labor bestowed upon it. Mrs. Parks is devoting her attention to the growing of wheat, of which she garners large harvests, and she is also successfully raising hogs, cattle and horses. She thoroughly understands the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for her stock. On her farm there is a fine country home, in which she takes justifiable pride. Oil has been discovered on her. land, which is situated in one of the richest oil fields of the state. The daughter Martha has a forty-acre farm adjoining her mother’s property and this is operated by Mr. Montgomery. Mrs. Parks is deeply interested in all that pertains to the welfare and development of her community, her influence being at all times on the side of advancement and improvement. She is widely and favorably known in this section of the state, where she has spent her life, and as a representative of one of the pioneer families of the state she merits and receives the highest respect of all who know her.
