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Lewis Woodworth Parks
1881 - 1952
Parks, Lewis W., b. 1881, d. 1952
Funeral For L. W. Parks
Business Leader Stricken at His Home Yesterday
Funeral services for Lewis Woodworth Parks, 70, of 214 South Washington Street, will be conducted Thursday at 2 p.m.
at the Schmutzler Funeral home and interment will be in Oak Hill
cemetery. The Rev. Herbert E. Bauck
of the Congregational church will officiate.
Mr. Parks died yesterday afternoon at his home. His death followed a long illness and was due
to cancer. He had first suffered a heart
attack in 1948 and had been in delicate health since that time, forcing his
retirement from active business as president
of the G. B. Lewis Co. that year.
He was born in Watertown on May 13, 1881, his parents being Charles E.
and Lilia Lewis Parks. He attended the
public schools in Watertown and then attended the University of Wisconsin,
receiving his B.S. degree in commerce in 1904.
On Aug. 28, 1909, he was married to Miss Marguerite Cunningham of
Princeton, IL., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Cunningham. Three children were born of this union,
Steven, Catherine and Charles Parks. Charles
died in 1918.
Surviving Mr. Parks are his wife, one son, Steven C. Parks, Watertown,
and a daughter Mrs. Catherine Parks Baumgardner, Lancaster, O. There is one sister, Miss Olive Parks,
Watertown, and also four grandchildren survive.
Active Career
The death of Mr., Parks has ended a long and notable business career
here. Until his retirement a few years
ago he had been active in the operation and management of the G. B. Lewis Co.
which he joined in 1905. In the interval
he worked and advanced in its various departments. At one time he was plant superintendent, but
had also worked in production, purchases and sales, until he became president
of the company in 1938 upon the death of George C. Lewis.
The Lewis Co. was founded in 1861 by Mr. Parks' grandfather, George
B. Lewis, who was later joined by Mr. Parks’ father, Charles E. Parks. The company was incorporated in 1890.
The company grew to become the world’s largest manufacturing concern of beware,
but in recent years it has also added many other products to its line of goods.
On Honey Institute
Mr. Parks was one of the founders and chairman of the Board of American
Honey institute for some 25 years.
Throughout his life Mr. Parks was devoted to business, but he also took
an interest in many other things, including music and promotion of civic
movements in the community. It was only when ill health forced him to
relinquish his activity that he retired, but even then, he retained a strong
interest in the community.
His entire career and private life, it may truly be said, was actuated
by high principles such as always command confidence and respect.
“Lew” Parks was more than a friend to countless numbers of people here
and elsewhere. They looked upon him as a
companion. He was ever ready to support
and take part in any worthwhile endeavor and things that go to make a community
better and advance its progress.
Active As Rotarian / His private life was exemplary
He was friendly and cheerful, with a keen
sense of humor and a deep appreciation of the best in life. Friends will remember him as a man who always
had a good word to say and saying it cheerfully. In the Rotary club, where he was long active,
he was one of the most popular members of his time. He was a-charter member of the Watertown Rotary club and also one of its past presidents. In its early years he helped lay the
foundation for a firm organization and was always devoted to its high
principles. Rotarians who shared many
good times and serious times with him will go on remembering with appreciation
the companionship they had with him.
Mr. Parks enjoyed his home life and found restful and stimulating
relaxation in reading and music. He was
one of the city’s true music lovers and also took an active part in numerous
musical groups here. He was a violinist.
He played with the old Watertown
symphony orchestra and also was a member of various string quartets which
devoted itself to the playing of light classics. He also was a singer and was a member of the
Watertown Male chorus for many years.
Mr. Parks was affiliated with the First Congregational church and served
as a trustee and had also been a member of its choir for many years.
With all his other interests, Mr. Parks found time for much civic and
community work. One of his chief
interests was the Boy Scout movement and he contributed valuable service and
leadership to its promotion in the community. He was a past president of the Potawatomi area
council of the Boy Scouts of America.
Mr. Parks was a member of Watertown lodge No. 666, B.P.O. Elks.
In both World War I and World War II he played a leading part in war
bond drives and campaigns. He was always
ready to give assistance in such undertakings and throughout his life was a
loyal and devoted American.
His many friends will remember him as a man of unfaltering integrity and
honor, a man who was warmhearted and genuine.
History of Watertown, Wisconsin