Parker Jewelry Store

My great-grandfather owned and operated a jewelry store on the square in Dyersburg. He is mentioned in the history of Dyer Co. by Goodspeed. He died in 1927.

From Goodspeed's History of Dyer County, 1887:
Samuel G. Parker, jeweler and stationer of Dyersburg, was born in Haywood County, Tenn., in March, 1849, and is the son of Nelson and Mary (Green) Parker, the former, a native of Sumner County, Tenn., born in November 8, 1809. He was twice married. His first wife, Cynthia C. Whiteside, died January 1, 1846; of her children two, Isaac L. and James P., are living, and two deceased, viz.: Nelson Franklin, who joined Forrest's command late during the war between the States. The battle of Harrisburg was his first engagement, soon after which he, with a squad of other Confederates, was sent to Lamar, Miss., to cut the Illinois Central Railroad at that point. While in that act he was mortally wounded, and died four days afterward and was buried at that place. Anselam P. was born February 24, 1847, and was married to Miss Tommie Howard, of Tipton County, Tenn., May 29, 1871, and died September 20, 1872. he leaves one son, Howard Nelson, born May 13, 1872. By his second marriage he became the father of eight children. Those now living are Samuel G., Emma N. (Mrs. D. H. Thomas), Ella A. (Mrs. S. D. Morris), Booth T., and Mary L. (Mrs. T. R. Moss). Mr. Parker died in 1867, and his last wife in 1878. Samuel G. received a good practical education, and at the age of twenty-two began to learn the jeweler's trade, working for three years in Nashville and Jackson. In 1873 he came to Dyersburg and engaged in the jeweler's business, to which, in 1880, he added a stock of books and stationery. He began with a small stock of goods, but by honesty and close application to business, he has built up a good trade, and now has the leading store of the kind in the town. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Christian Church.

This is a photo of his store which I obtained from a relative that lives there in Dyer Co. My great-grandfather is on the far left with the mustache. His son Napoleon Martin Parker is the young man in the center leaning with his left elbow down and his right hand up to his face. My great-grandfather Mary Elizabeth (Coker) Parker is the woman in the hat on the right.