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1887
In 1887 Guy Parke was taken into partnership with his father, and
two years later lime, plaster, and cement (the area's first importer
of Portland Cement) were added to the merchandise handled by the
firm. After 1890 the company handled only building materials and
remained in the storage business. Virgil Parke retired in 1910.
Decatur's First Warehouse Business
1930
In November, 1930 Robert F. Watt came into the business in charge
of Parke Warehouses. On January 1, 1947 Parke Warehouses and Parke
& Son, Inc. were merged.
That same year, William C. Parke, Guy's son and a vice president
of Bankers Trust Co. of New York, became treasurer. He brought with
him longtime friend and associate David A. Stoddard as secretary
and assistant treasurer. Guy Parke remained active in the business
long past 80, and died at the age of 98.
The Decatur Connection
Stoddard was born in Decatur but grew up in suburban Chicago. In
the 1930's he applied for a job with Continental National Bank.
The hiring officer was William Parke. "Bill saw I was born in Decatur
as he was reviewing job applications," Stoddard recalls. "That's
how I got the job."
1947
Both Stoddard and Parke left Continental Bank but they stayed in
touch. In 1947, Stoddard was working for Eastern Airlines when he
ran into Parke in New York City. Parke was about to leave Bankers
Trust to return to Decatur and join his father in the business founded
by his grandfather. He asked if Stoddard was interested in coming
back with him.
Together they oversaw the transition from moving and storage to
warehousing.
1962
Charles Stewart joined the company in 1962, and Susan Mooney, David's
daughter, began with Parke in 1965. Richard Stoddard, David's son,
came in 1974. William Parke died in 1984, giving David Stoddard
controlling interest in the company where he still presides as Chairman.
1999
Today Parke & Son, Inc., 150 years strong, employs 50+ people in 3
main businesses segments:
Commercial Public Warehousing, Contract Warehousing Services, and
Toll Processing & Packaging.
Officers are:
David A. Stoddard, Chairman
Charles E. Stewart, President
Richard W. Stoddard, V. P. & Treasurer
Bruce Stoddard, V. P., Marketing
Susan Mooney, Secretary
Parke & Son, Inc.
Bruce Stoddard
1800 E. Garfield Ave.
Decatur, IL 62526
(888) 429-5255
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