26
are now transmitting in brief to posterity. The United States is prolific of that class of men who, with ordinary ambition, fair pluck and a proper de- gree of perseverance and industry, reach the top of the ladder. A man en- dowed with these simple attributes has no cause to complain if he meets with reverses when he first starts out in life. These little discomfitures al- ways have a tendency to sharpen the intellect and urge their possessor on to renewed exertion, and when once he obeys the dictates of his better judg- ment, success is bound to crown his eiforts. Many people reading of the achievements of others waste much valuable time wondering how they were secured, while if they would only jump into the current and ride with it, without troubling themselves too much about other people's business, they, too, might accomplish something. This order of things has always pre- vailed and will continue to the end of the world. Forty-two years ago, away back in Ohio, the subject of this sketch was born, and Uke all the boys of that day who came of good old stock, received his preparatory education in the common schools. Being blessed by nature with a well-balanced head, a good constitution and an aptitude for learning, he soon acquired a general knoM'ledge of things. Full of energy and urged on by a disposition to win, he applied himself to the study of the law and entered the Albany law school. New York, and in the year 1864 graduated from that institution and was immediately admitted to the bar. He went to California in 1864, staying there but a few months, when he came through to Oregon, locating in the Willamette valley. Like many another young lawyer, finding him- self in a strange and a young country, he turned his talents to good account by teaching school for one year, and then in the fall of 1867 went to Albany, where he commenced the practice of his profession. He was elected Dis- trict Attorney in 1874 and again in 1878. He held the office of County Judge in 1870. Since his retirement from public office he has been prac- ticing law in Albany. He is a useful member of the Committees on Judi- ciary and Elections, and in poUtics is a sterling Democrat.
HON. ALLEiN PARKER. It often happens that the inquiring student of biography, when delving among the musty tombs and records of the lives of distinguished men, is struck with the number of those who have commenced their life career on the farm. In such occupation the aspiring mind is brought face to face with the beauties of nature, the germs of after greatness very often unfold themselves and strike deep root in the fertile soil of ambition. In the present legislature more than one member can trace back the first prompt- ings of his youthful mind to the happy days when he whistled after the plow and mimicked the shrill pipe of the blackbird in the balmy sunshine. Mr. Parker is a representative farmer and business man. He was bom in Ross county, Ohio, in the year 1828. He remained there attending school until he was fifteen years of age, when his parents removed to Iowa. He lived in Iowa until 1852, on a farm, when he came to Oregon, locating in Linn county, where he has since resided, engaged in farming;
