(submitted by Mac Parker)
In 1855, Edwin Harrington Parker (1821–) and Caroline (Cundick, 1819–) Parker left England on the ship Try and came to Canada with six children. Edwin set up a blacksmith shop in Adelaide until, in 1866, he moved to a farm at Wisbeach, where he also built a blacksmith shop.
Their eldest son, Benjamin (1843–1947), apprenticed at age 16 as a shoemaker and worked at this for two years before becoming a farmer, acquiring property at Lot 28, Con. 2 SER. Benjamin married Ann Clark in 1870 and they had seven children: William Edwin (1871–1965), Daniel George (1872–1949), Reuben (1874–1961), Lucy (1876–1936), Joseph (1878–1937), John Freeman (1880–1962), and James (1883–1970).
Benjamin’s youngest son, James, took over the farm in 1909. Benjamin and Ann moved to Watford and ran a shoe repair business at their residence on Erie St. James married Ida May Skillen (1884–1969).
John (Jack) farmed in Warwick Twp. He married Elizabeth Dormier and later Edith Johnson. Joseph was a Warwick Twp. farmer as well, who married Ella Robertson (1878–1945). Daniel lived in Watford, then in Leamington. He married Maude McChesney (1878–1946).
William Edwin married Sarah MacKenzie (1872–1960). They farmed at Lot 29, Con. 1 NER. Their family consisted of three sons: George (1897–1990), Russell (1901–1998), and Ivan (1908–1976). William served three years as Warwick Twp. Councillor, one year as Deputy Reeve, five years as Reeve, five years as Road Superintendent, and three years as Tax Assessor.
William and Sarah’s son George served in the 63rd Battery in World War I where they used horses to pull big guns into position. When he returned from the war, he began working at Mueller’s Brass Foundry in Sarnia. Despite having only a Grade 8 education, he became President of the company. He also had a farm at Lot 28, Con. 1 SER.
George’s brother Russell farmed all his life at Wisbeach. He was a Shorthorn breeder who showed his cattle all through western Canada, Ontario and Chicago from the mid 1930s on. He moved the cattle by railroad until about 1945 when trucks were used. He exhibited at the Western Fair for 50 years and was cattle superintendent for the Royal Winter Fair for 20 years.
William and Sarah’s son, Ivan, graduated from Watford High School, then started an egg grading business and eventually a feed supply store on a one-acre lot off the home farm. During the 1930s and early 1940s, he delivered eggs to Toronto and returned with Master Feeds Concentrate. This was done by car pulling an enclosed trailer, leaving at 4 a.m. and returning late at night twice a week.
In 1941, Ivan married Evelyn Matthews (1910–1987). They had three children: Ivan Mac (1942–), Isabel (1943–), and Dorothy (1952–). In 1942, Ivan joined the Armed Forces and served as a Major in the 48th Battery, training troops in British Columbia. Ivan had a farm on Lot 30, Con. 1 SER where he bred Polled Shorthorn cattle. He served as School Trustee and was instrumental in getting Warwick Central School built, the first central school in Lambton County.
After the war, Ivan and Evelyn opened a grocery store and Shell gas station called Parker’s Fireside Store at the same location as the egg grading station.
Ivan and Evelyn’s son, Mac, attended SS#10 and Watford High School and graduated from Ridgetown Agricultural College in 1960. Mac’s sisters Isabel and Dorothy both moved away from Warwick. Mac purchased the 50-acre farm from his grandfather, William, in 1960. In 1971 he also purchased his father’s farm. Mac married Sandra Chamberlain (1943–) in 1972. Their children are Niola Adele (1966–), Kata Ann (1973–), and Ivan George (1976–). Mac followed family tradition and raised Polled Shorthorn cattle, selling and showing them throughout Ontario, Manitoba, Quebec, New York and Michigan. He was President of the Polled Shorthorn Association and the Ontario Beef Performance Testing Association. In 2008 he continues to operate a 450-acre beef and cash crop farm.
Mac served on Warwick Township Council in 1966 for one term, returning to Council in 1991 as the first Mayor of Warwick (until that time the position was known as Reeve) for three consecutive terms, or nine years, during which time Watford amalgamated with Warwick.
Mac and Sandra’s son, Ivan, is a computer technician/part-time farmer and lives at Lot 28, Con. 1 SER, Wisbeach. Ivan married Marcia Donald; they have a daughter. Mac and Sandra’s daughters have both moved away from Warwick Twp.
Parker family, c. 1900. Standing: Lucy Galaway, Joe Parker, Reuben Parker, Dan Parker. Seated: Ben Parker, James Parker, Ann Parker, John Parker, William Parker. Courtesy M Parker.
Chapter 24 of 25 - Parker Family
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