Charles H. Parker facts for kids
Charles H. Parker (born November 16, 1814 – died March 3, 1890) was an important American businessman and politician. He made tools and machines. He was known for building reapers, which are machines that help farmers harvest crops. Parker lived in Beloit, Wisconsin. He served on the city council and was even the mayor of Beloit. He also worked for Rock County and was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly three times. He started as a Republican and later joined the Greenback Party.
Early Life and Business
Charles H. Parker was born in Newton, Massachusetts, on November 16, 1814. He went to a regular school. His father was a sea captain and passed away when Charles was very young. His family moved to Dedham, Massachusetts when he was ten. Later, they moved to Canton, Massachusetts when he was sixteen.
In 1837, Charles moved to Concord, New Hampshire. There, he worked as a cutler, which means he made and sold knives and other cutting tools. In 1848, he moved west to Belvidere, Illinois. He managed a farm there. He married Eleanor Stone, whose father owned the farm.
In 1849, Parker started working as a machinist in a Beloit factory. He helped build reapers. He earned $1 a day. Every Friday, he would walk home to his family in Belvidere. He would walk back to Beloit for work on Monday mornings. In 1850, his family moved permanently to Beloit.
In 1852, Charles Parker and his brother-in-law, Gustavus Stone, started their own business. They built all the machines needed for their factory. They began by making hoes. Then they started making other farm tools. These included grain sickles and blades for mowing machines. Parker became the president of their company, the Parker & Stone Reaper Company. A famous inventor named John Appleby worked for them. He invented his well-known Twine Binder there.
Public Service
Charles Parker was very active in his community. He served as an alderman in Beloit for many years, starting in 1857. An alderman is like a city council member. They help make decisions for the city. In 1861, he became the mayor of Beloit.
He also served on the county board several times. This board helps manage the county. Parker was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly twice as a Republican. This was for the years 1868 and 1869. The Assembly is like the state's parliament. He represented Beloit and nearby towns.
In 1876, Parker was elected to the Assembly again. This time, he was a member of the Greenback Party. He worked to form an alliance between the Greenback and Democratic members in the Assembly.
In 1878, Parker ran for the U.S. Congress. He was the Greenback candidate for Wisconsin's First District. However, he did not win this election.
Later Life and Banking
The Parker & Stone Reaper Company closed down in 1878. Charles Parker's son, Lowell Holden Parker, and a partner took over the business. They moved the factory to Milwaukee in 1881. It became known as "Milwaukee Harvester." Later, this company was bought by International Harvester in 1902.
Holden Parker sold his share of the business. He returned to Beloit. There, he and his father, Charles, opened the Second National Bank of Beloit. Charles Parker was the president of this bank until he passed away. He died on March 14, 1890. His son, L. Holden Parker, took over as president of the bank. Holden Parker also served one term in the Assembly, like his father.
