WILLIAM HENRY PARRISH.

The years which covered the active business career of William Henry Parrish chronicled his success as the result of determined and persistent purpose, close application and indomitable energy, for he started out without influence and by his executive ability and genius for organization built up in Oakland what is still the largest teaming and draying establishment in the city. He is also entitled to representation in this volume as a veteran of the Civil war.

Mr. Parrish was born in McHenry county, Illinois, January 24. 1841, and was a son of Ransom and Adelia (Lowell) Parrish, natives of New York. The father came to California about the year 1860 and in this state secured employment as a carpenter and mechanic. Soon afterward he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, settling on a farm in Sonoma county, where he remained until ill health compelled him to retire. He then moved to Oakland, dying at the home of his son in this city at the age of sixty-seven, having survived his wife for six months. Of their children Malinda died at the age of nineteen and Norman. also deceased, owned the California planing mill in San Francisco for a number of years.

William Henry Parrish teas reared in Wisconsin, where he remained until he was seventeen rears of age. At that time he moved to St. Louis, Missouri, and there secured employment in a store, retaining this position until the outbreak of the Civil war, when Ile returned to Illinois. At Rockford, that state, July 13, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Forty-fourth Illinois Infantry, in which he served three years and one month, receiving his honorable discharge August 13, 1864. On the 29th of October of the same year Mr. Parrish arrived in California and for about seven years thereafter worked in a planing mill. At the end of that time he turned his attention to the draying and truck business, establishing the enterprise with which his name has since been honorably associated. For a time he was in business with a partner but from 1890 until his death conducted the concern alone, his office being located at 428 Sixth street. He began with a meager equipment, but his business expanded rapidly and at the time of his death he had seven draft teams, modern wagons and a force of eight men to assist in the hauling and moving. All modern appliances for the safe conduct of a business of this character were found in his establishment and his workmen were all specially trained in this line of labor. Many of the largest business houses in San Francisco and Oakland retained Mr. Parrish to relieve them of the details of their freight and express department. By his special system he paid all freight and expense bills and then presented the entire account when the goods were delivered to his patrons. Under his able management his concern grew to extensive proportions, being at the time of his death one of the largest and most important of its kind on the coast. The business is nosy under the direction of his sons, who have adhered to their father's policies and maintained the business at its usual standard of efficiency.

While on the journey to California on the steamer Golden Rule, Mr. Parrish made the acquaintance of Miss Catherine Machwirth, a native of Buffalo, New York, and a daughter of Adolph and Catherine Machwirth. The acquaintance thus formed ripened into affection and culminated in their marriage four years later. Six children were born to their union, of whom one, Arthur, has passed away. The others are: Norman A., who is connected with the Machwirth Cornice Company of Buffalo, New York, having had charge of the architectural work of several of the largest buildings at the St. Louis fair; Clinton C., who assisted his brother in the exposition work; Charles C., and Wilfred E., managers of their father's interests; and Louisa C., who is now Mrs. George Denison. Mrs. Parrish survives her husband and is one of the well known and popular women of Oakland, having made her home at 2033 Webster street the center of a hospitable social circle.

William Henry Parrish had extensive and important fraternal affiliations, being a member of Lyons Post, G. A. R., and well known in the affairs of the Oakland lodge of the Knights of Pythias. He joined this organization in 1870 and was trustee and marshal for many years, being for a long period prior to his death the only surviving charter member. Mr. Parrish became a Mason May t883, taking the first degree in Live Oak Lodge, No. fit, F. & A. On May 18 he rose to the second degree and on June 22 received the third. In December, t884., he was elected marshal; one year later was chosen junior warden, serving two years in that capacity; and was made senior warden in December, 1887. He was honorary member of the Veteran Association of the Pacific Coast, his connection with this dating from October 13, 1887. He was identified also with University Lodge, I. 0. 0. F. Mr. Parrish's principal interest, however, lay along business lines and his determination and reliable methods enabled him to accomplish whatever he undertook. He dealt honestly and honorably with all men and his name came to be regarded as a synonym for integrity in business circles of the city, where his activities were for more than a quarter of a century a force in commercial progress.

Source: Past And Present Of Alameda County, California - Volume II , Chicago The S J Clarke Publishing Company, 1914