Albro R. PARKER, who for the long period of forty years has resided in Waushara County and is now engaged in general farming on section 11, in the town of Marion, was born in Charlestown, Vt., April 1, 1836, and is a son of Ira and Letitia S. PARKER, the former born July 1, 1811, and the latter on the 24th of September of the same year. Their marriage was celebrated in Grafton County, N. H., and soon afterwards they settled in Vermont, where were born unto them four children, namely: Jane A., wife of N. E. HOBART of Cherokee County, Iowa; Josiah, who enlisted in a Missouri Battery, died during his service in a hospital in Fayetteville in 1863; A. R. is the next younger; and Ira I., who was a soldier of the 38th Wisconsin Infantry, died in Cherokee, Iowa, from disease contracted while in the army; Emma who completes the family, was born in Wisconsin and is now the wife of George LEACH, also of Cherokee.

The year 1817 witnessed the arrival of Ira PARKER and his family in Wisconsin. The journey was made by way of the lakes, the party reaching Oshkosh, then a mere hamlet, in the month of June of that year. They there resided until the fall of 1819, when, removing to Waushara County, Mr. PARKER made a claim on section 11, in the town of Marion on what is known as Indian land. There were but six families then in the town and the entire county was in a wild and unsettled condition. He became one of its prominent and influential citizens and was Chairman of the Board of his town for many years. He supported the principles advocated by Jackson in early life, but joined the Republican party on its organization. His death occurred Aug 11, 1862, his wife surviving him twenty years, she having died Dec. 18, 1882. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and led earnest and consistent Christian lives.

The subject of this sketch was reared among the wild scenes of the frontier, having come to Wisconsin during its territorial days. He was then but eleven years of age and was a lad of thirteen years when he became a resident of Waushara County. His education was acquired in the schools of his adopted State, and he remained at home until 1861, when he entered the service of his country as a member of the 38th Wisconsin Infantry, being mustered in at Madison. He joined his regiment in front of Petersburg and participated in the most important engagements toward the close of the war. For eight months he was stationed in front of Petersburg and after LEE's surrender participated in the capture of Richmond. With his command he then marched to Washington and helped to form the picket line which surrounded that city when it was supposed that [John Wilkes] BOOTH, the murder of [President Abraham] LINCOLN, was hiding there. He was mustered out near Washington, in June, 1865, and on receiving his discharge in Madison, returned to his home.

When the war was over Mr. PARKER rejoined his family in Waushara County and once more resumed the occupation of farming. He had been married on the 3d of July, 1857, to Sarah E. VIDAL, daughter of John L. and Sarah (INGRAHAM) VIDAL, the former a native of New York City, the latter of Pittsfield, Mass. With their family they emigrated to the West in 1848 and settled in Walworth County, Wis., but two years later became residents of Waushara County, where they remained until the close of the war, when they became residents of Ft. Scott, Kansas, where the death of Mrs. VIDAL occurred in 1866. The husband is still living and makes his home in Ringgold County, Iowa. He also was a soldier of the late war, in which he served two years as a member of the 16th Wisconsin Infantry. He enlisted as a private, but on account of meritorious conduct and bravery displayed on the field of battle, was promoted to the rank of Captain. He was wounded in the side by the concussion of a shell and on account of disability was mustered out. His son, John L., was a member of the 5th Wisconsin Infantry and served with credit to himself and his command. His death was caused by disease contracted while in the army. Another son, Joseph, was also one of the "boys in blue" and died while in the defense of his country at Memphis, Tenn. The family of Mr. and Mrs. VIDAL numbered nine children, four of whom are living - Rosalie, widow of George MOOR, who now resides in Fort Scott, Kansas; Sophia, wife of Frank BRUCKETT, of Imogene, Iowa; Kate, wife of Warfield BRUCKETT, of St. Joseph, Mo.; and Sarah E., wife of our subject..

Three children have been born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. PARKER - Jane, who is now the widow of George JENNINGS; John, who married Miss Mary SHELDON; and Edwin, still under the parental roof.

In his social relations, Mr. PARKER is a member of Ed. Saxe Post, G. A. R., of Wautoma, and politically is a stalwart Republican. He has been honored with the offices of Side Supervisor, Treasurer of the Town and Chairman of the Town Board. He came to the county before the advent of railroads, when the homes of the settlers were widely scattered and the greater part of the land was still in its primitive condition. He has watched the progress of events, the upbuilding of town and county and has participated in the development of the fine farms for which Wisconsin is noted. An honored pioneer, a leading farmer, a worthy citizen and an upright gentleman, are epithets which describe the character of our subject.

Source:  Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin Pp. 569-70. Acme Publishing Co. Chicago. 1890

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2009