Business As Usual...Since 1854
For nearly 160 years, Parke & Son Inc., has served the needs of America's industrial community. David Stoddard, helped keep the company moving in the right direction for 61 of those years.
The legacy continues today under the leadership of David’s sons Dick & Bruce Stoddard. In 2012 Dick’s son Gavin Stoddard joined Parke to help guide it in the 21st Century. The operations that now combine to create Parke Inc. operate in over 800,000 square feet, and employ more than 80 men and women. As you will see Parke, Inc. has remade itself several times during its evolution to the present form as a provider of Commercial Public Warehousing, Contract Warehousing, and Toll Processing & Blending services. But no matter what comes next, Parke will continue to deliver quality and service, just as it has since that early morning on March 6th, 1854.
Virgil Parke, 22, arrived in Decatur Illinois by train at 5:30 a.m. As the late Mr. Parke stood surveying the town an acquaintance, Gus Hardy came along. Mr. Hardy's first words were, "You are the very man I am looking for. I'm going to sell you my livery business." Virgil had only a few dollars in his pocket and laughed at the idea, but Gus persisted and said that he should pay him as he was able. After surveying the livestock and totaling its value, a business note was pushed from Mr. Hardy to Mr. Parke along with the quip, "It's your business now." Mr. Parke walked back to the hotel to finish his breakfast as a business man of the city of Decatur.
In 1863 Virgil Parke sold the livery business and established a retail farm implement company at 143 North Main Street. In 1880, Guy Parke, then 14 years old, joined his father’s implement company to form the first Parke & Son duo. In 1886 Virgil and Guy Parke sold the company to establish a business in coal, wood, and stock-feed further north along Decatur's business district at 621 North Main. The father and son also operated storage rooms for household goods - for the first time entering into the warehousing industry. “This was the first storage warehouse business in the city”, Guy Parke later said.
In November 1930 Robert F. Watt came into the business in charge of the Warehousing division of Parke Inc. On January 1, 1947 Parke Warehouses and Parke & Son merged, and that same year, William C. Parke, Guy’s son and Vice President of Bankers Trust Company of New York, became treasurer of Parke Inc. William "Bill" Parke 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 legacy of Virgil, Guy and Bill Parke, as well as that of Dave Stoddard and Chuck Stewart, continues today under the leadership of Dick and Bruce Stoddard. In 2012 Dick’s son Gavin Stoddard joined Parke Incorporated as Controller to help guide The Company in the 21st Century. The Company now operates in over 800,000 square feet, and employs more than 80 men and women. Parke has joined the 3PL revolution, and has implemented cutting-edge technology into its Commercial Public Warehousing, Contract Warehousing, and Toll Processing & Blending services. As it has throughout its long history, The Company will continue to evolve to meet the challenges and opportunities of the marketplace. And no matter what comes next, Parke will continue to stand for quality and service.
