Biography of M. W. Parr Cottonwood and Watonwan Counties, MN Biographies

M. W. Parr, the subject of this sketch, was born in Wabasha county, Minnesota, November 29, 1869, a son of Thaddeus Parr, born in Franklin county, New York, and Esther (Washburn) Parr, a native of Canada. Thaddeus Parr was a farmer boy in Franklin county, New York, and, while still a youth, came West and located in Wisconsin. In 1862 he enlisted in Company G, Twentieth Regiment, Wisconsin Infantry. On December 7, 1862, this regiment was part of the army of the frontier and was engaged in the battle of Prairie Grove, or Fayettville, Arkansas, in which the Federal forces sustained the loss of a considerable number of killed and wounded. Thaddeus Parr was among those wounded in this engagement. He never sufficiently recovered from this wound to enable him to return to his regiment for active duty, and consequently was discharged after service as soldier for nine months. He returned home and some after the war he bought a farm in Wabasha county, Minnesota, and turned his attention to farming. He followed this occupation for thirty years and then retired from active work. He is now living in Owatonna, Steele county, Minnesota. Mrs. Esther (Washburn) Parr was the mother of three children: M. W., Esther, who married L. W. Godfrey, and Catherine, who married Dr. G. A. Grove. M. W. Parr was educated in the public schools of Wabasha county, Minnesota, and worked on a farm during his youthful years. Beginning in 1892 he was for five years employed as a clerk in a store, at Plainview, Minnesota. About 1897 he decided to turn his attention to agricultural pursuits. He went to South Dakota and located on a farm and was engaged in farming for fourteen years. In 1911 he disposed of his Dakota interests and returned to Minnesota, locating in Kenyon, Goodhue county, where he was engaged in the real estate business for three years. In March, 1915, he disposed of his business in Kenyon and came to Madelia. Here he opened up a hardware and implement store, in which business he is at present engaged. Mr. Parr was married to Louisa M. Burgess. To this union three children have been born: Roland, Esther and Thaddeus. Mr. and Mrs. Parr are members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Parr is a Republican. His fraternal affiliations are with the Order of Foresters, and with the American Order of Woodmen. From: History of Cottonwood and Watonwan Counties Minnesota Their People, Industries and Institutions John A. Brown, Editor in Chief B. F. Bowen and Company, Inc. Indianapolis, Indiana 1916. Privacy Policy for OnlineBiographies NAVIGATION Cottonwood and Watonwan Counties, MN Biographies Online - Biographies Minnesota Histories Illinois Histories Michigan Histories New York Histories Also see Railway Officials in America 1906