The YYYY     MM     DD     date format for the entries in this section facilitates easy sorting. Some of the dates are approximate. We have tried to give as full as possible citations for our sources of information. Many of the entries with exact dates are based on items appearing in local newspapers. Kilgore Memorial Library has copies of these newspapers on microfilm.

Some of the data is extracted from Parks’ entry in the 1940 Who’s Who In Nebraska, pg. 1142.

~ BIRTH - 1899 ~

18630522 Born in Centre Co. Pennsylvania [Parents James L. Parks & Mary (Gilbert) Parks]

1884-1887 Chicago Music College; employed by Chicago Wood Finishing Co.

1887-1889 Voice Department; Nebraska Conservatory of Music, Lincoln, NE.

18900418 Married Helena Knott at York, NE

189206xx Daughter (Helen Stoddard) born.

18940703 Daughter (Pauline Marie) born.

1896xxxx Son (Robert Knott) born.

18980809 Robert Knott Parks (son) dies.

18981020 “ANNOUNCEMENT” ad. (The Teller, pg. 1) “we have opened a new … music store .. in the Opera House Block..”

18981208 “Sheet Music” ad. (The Teller, pg. 1)

18990126 J.A. Parks & Co. advertisement listing five brands of pianos sold (New Teller)

18990209 J.A. Parks & Co. advertisement for organs, pianos, and empty wooden crates. (New Teller)

~ 1900 - 1909 ~

1900 Census (E.D. 184, Sheet 5, lines 80-83):
Parks, J.A.(b. May, 1862, age 38)
Parks, Helena (b. Oct. 1869, age 30)
Parks, Helen (b. June, 1892, age 7)
Parks, Pauline (b. July, 1894, age 5)

19000425 “The Chicago Glee Club drew the people to the Opera House Monday evening. The music was all that J.A. Parks advertised it to be. … The manager of the club told the audience that no entertainment is given without singing at least two of the Parks songs.” (Teller, pg. 1)

19000510 Parks Music Co. Opera House Block advertisement for pianos and organs. (Teller-Democrat, pg. 1)

19000715 Helen Parks (daughter) dies.

19000919 “We hereby desire to convey our grateful thanks to our neighbors and friends who assisted us by so many acts of kindness during the sickness and death of our daughter Helen — Mr. & Mrs. J.A. Parks” (Teller-Democrat, pg. 1)

19010129 “Mr. Parks publishes music, Pierce & Bell sell music and musical instruments.” (Teller, pg. 1)

19010403 “The Methodist Church Choir, numbering nearly 40 voices under the leadership of J.A. Parks, will render the sacred cantata “Easter Dawn” at the church next Sunday evening at 8 p.m.” (Teller, pg. 4)

19011225 “Prof. Parks will have personal charge of all the rehearsals … You may have the music at once by calling at Pro. Parks’ studio.” (Teller, pg. 3) In a call for volunteers to sing at a benefit planned for Feb. 4th, 1902.

19020122 “Mr. Parks says that as this is to be his last work of the kind he intends to make it the best.” (Teller) In article about music festival planned for Feb. 5th, 1902.

19060919 Mr. Parks “..has gone for an extended trip along the Pacific coast to meet and make the acquaintance of the men and firms who are handling the music in the American Orient..” (York Republican, pg. 4, col. 3)

19060926 J. A. Parks is quoted in an article reprinted from the Salt Lake City Intermountain Republican. (York Republican, pg. 1, col 3) The item quotes Mr. Parks’ opinion of rag-time, and cites Daybreak, Twenty Five Encore Solos, and Imperial Anthems No. Three as recent publications.

~ 1910 - 1919 ~

19110624 “W.E. Stilson Builds,” York News-Times, pg. 1. Article notes that W.E. Stilson’s printing / binding plant handles J.A. Parks musical publications. — Stilson’s address in the 1912 City Directory is Route 4; the name does not appear in the 1915 City Directory.

19110718 “Mr. J.A. Parks is to have charge of the Male Chorus Music at Winona Lake… Aug. 28th to Sept. 6th..” York Daily News, pg. 2, col. 2?

19110722 “Mr. & Mrs. Parks were at home informally yesterday evening … Chicago Glee Club.” York Daily News, pg. ?

19110829 “J.A. Parks Off For Winona,” York Daily News, pg. 2, col. 2. Parks will present at the International Lyceum Association at Winona Lake, Minnesota. The article includes text of the song, “The Calling of the I.L.A.”, by Charles H. Dixon.

19170830 “Property Does Not Belong to Chautauqua: J.A. Parks Says Association Cannot Sell Something They Do Not Own,” York News-Times, pg. 6, col. 1. Parks summarizes his local involvement with the park commission in purchasing the ground and constructing the Chautauqua pavilion.

19180314 “Mr. E. H. Bemis and Mrs. Robt. McConaughy have been rehearsing …,” York News-Times pg. 4, col. 1. When the Boys Come Home and To Her Soldier Brother will be performed at the Sun Theater.

19180426 “Annual Parks Program” York Republican, pg. 1, col. 6. Announcement of program to be held at 8:30 pm. Tuesday, April 30, 1918 at the Presbyterian Church.

19180503 “Mr. Parks Honored,” York Republican, pg. 1, col. 2. Recounts program given on April 30th, 1918.

~ 1920 - 1929 ~

19220109 Pauline M. Parks and Claude R. Lambe married at bride’s parents’ home by Rev. E.E. Emhoff of the First Presbyterian Church, York, NE. [ “Society” page article about the wedding appears on pg. 8, col. 2 of the Jan. 12, 1922 York Republican ]

19220404 Guest of Honor at the Omaha Fortnightly Music Club. [Event is described in brief news item in the March 31, 1922 York News-Times ]

~ 1930 - 1939 ~

19380421 “York Composer to be Honored in May,” York Republican, pg. 1, col. 3

19380504 “Male Chorus Gets Chamber Backing : Board Decides to Sponsor the Chorus This Year; Program for May 29 Announced,” York News-Times, pg. 3, col 1. [ 2nd & 3rd paragraphs mention plans for program to honor J. A. Parks.]

19380512 “Program Announced for Parks Birthday” York Republican, pg. 1, col. 5

19380516 “York Composer to be Honored at Program Sunday, May 22,” York News-Times, pg. 1, col. 5 ff.

19380519 “Male Chorus Will Present Program : Will Honor J.A. Parks Sunday on 75th Anniversary of Birth; to Broadcast,” York News-Times, pg. 3, col. 2

19380519 “York Composer has High Place Among Good Music Writers” York Republican, pg. 1, col 6, ff. The article is a full column on pg. 1, another full column on pg. 2, and a copy of the program appears on pg. 5.

19380522 Annual Spring Program of York Male Chorus Honoring Mr. J. A. PARKS York Composer on his Seventy-Fifth Birthday Anniversary by Presenting a Full Program of his Music [folder; has photo of Mr. Parks, list of pieces performed, and the performers. — original on display at Anna Bemis Palmer Museum, York, NE.]

19380523 “Parks Honored at Sunday’s Program : Male Chorus Honors the York Composer of Occasion of 75th Birth Anniversary,” York News-Times pg. 3, col. 4

19380526 “Parks’ Program and Broadcast an Event” York Republican, pg. 1, col. 3

DEATH

~ 1940 - DEATH ~

19400418 James & Helena Parks celebrated their 50th anniversary quietly; Pauline & Claude Lambe drove up from Wichita for the day.

19400725 “Pen Sketches of York Women: Mrs. Marion Moore,” York Republican, pg. 4, col.5. Gives details of her involvement with the J.A. Parks Music Company, from 1924 through 1940, including several song titles she wrote or arranged.

19451018 “Prof. James A. Parks Dies At Home Here — Noted Composer and Publisher Passes Away At Age of 82 Years,” York News-Times, pg. 1

194709xx Helena Knott Parks (widow) dies at Wichita, Kansas. (obituary appears in York News-Times, Sept. 27, 1947, pg. 4, col 1.)

James, Helena, Helen and Robert Parks are buried in Lot A 109, Greenwood Cemetery, York, Nebraska.