H.H. Parke Collection (Genoa-Sycamore)

Collection

Identifier: RHC-RC-043

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The H.H. Parke Collection documents the life of one of the foremost men in American agriculture. Included in this collection are letters from family and friends during his college years (1900-1910); congratulatory letters to Mr. Parke for achievements in the agricultural sphere; and programs and reports of the American Farm Bureau. Of particular interest are biographical and autobiographical material of Almon Ford Parke, H.H. Parke and related family members. Publications of various farm organizations can be found in this collection as well as two ledgers containing farm records.

Dates

created: 1894-1973
Other: Date acquired: 11/06/1978

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on access to materials in the collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights in the collection belong to the Northern Illinois Regional History Center; literary rights are dedicated to the public.

Biographical or Historical Information

Henry Hall Parke was born in DeKalb County in 1876, the son of Almon Ford and Ruth (Hall) Parke. H.H. Parke was educated in local schools before attending the University of Michigan where he received both a B.L. and M.S. in Marine Biology. After teaching for two years at the University of West Virginia, Parke returned to the Genoa-Sycamore area where he operated the 400 acre family farm. Active in the farming community, Parke was instrumental in organizing the DeKalb Farm Bureau in 1912 and is today known as the Father of that organization. He was active in other cooperative ventures including many years of service as Vice President of the National Live Stock Producers Association and service as President and Treasurer of the Chicago Live Stock Producers Association. Additional affiliations included the National Council of Farmer’s Cooperatives and a brief stint as Assistant Secretary of Agriculture (Illinois) in 1917. Parke was a member of the Masons, the Elks and the Rotary Clubs; he attended the Federated Protestant Church in Sycamore. In 1907 Parke married Anna Laura Wellings of New York. They had three children, Almon Bird, Dorothy Mae and Henry Wellings, who donated this collection to the Center. Henry H. Parke died in 1957 at the age of 81.

Note written by

Extent

0.75 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Source of Acquisition

Mr. Henry W. Parke

Method of Acquisition

The Henry H. Parke Collection was donated to the Northern Illinois Regional History Center by Mr. Henry W. Parke, Sycamore, Illinois, on November 6, 1978.