My Genealogy Hound

J. G. Parker, druggist and groceryman, of Dresden, Tenn., began life for himself as a druggist in 1867, and in 1881 disposed of his stock, and two years later established a family grocery store. In 1884 he added a full line of drugs, and has continued in that business to the present time. Mr. Parker was born in Rutherford County, Tenn., in 1832, and is a son of John and Amanda (Williford) Parker, both being of English descent, and born in Rutherford County, Tenn., the former in 1799, and the latter in 1801. They were married in Gibson County, in 1823. In early life the father was a surveyor, but later, after locating in Trenton, became a lawyer. He was an early settler and a prominent resident of Gibson County, and died in 1836, followed by his wife in the forties. Of five children born to their union, our subject is the only one now living. He was educated in the academy at Trenton, and at the age of sixteen began clerking in a drug store in Trenton, and during his leisure hours pursued the study of law. In 1851 he went to Hickman County, Ky., and the following year was admitted to practice law before the courts of the State. In September, 1858, he married Ann Etheridge, who was born in North Carolina, in 1832, Mr. Parker came to Weakley County, in 1861, and cultivated the soil until 1867, and then came to Dresden and established a drug store with the above results. He is very conservative in politics, but was formerly a member of the old Whig party. In 1855 he was elected judge of Fulton County, Ky., and held the office one year, and in 1873 was elected magistrate of Dresden to fill a vacancy, and served, by re-election for nine years. He belongs to the K. of H., and his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.