Sheriff Chester Parker

Chester Parker was born in Yreka, California, in 1863 to Louis R. Parker and Mary. The L.R. Parker family came to Alturas in 1870 at the time the town was called Dorris Bridge. Modoc County had not yet split off from Siskiyou County. Chester Parker lived with his parents on a ranch on what is still known as Parker Creek. Chester Parker met and married Katherine Fitzpatrick in 1887; together they had two sons and one daughter. Ches Parker was a typical western cowboy. Ches was the foreman on several of the big cattle ranches in the area, including the Carr ranch, and the MC ranch in Warner Valley. He knew a cowboy’s business, the country’s lore, and upheld the laws and traditions of cow country. He was active and respected throughout his community. After his term as sheriff he returned to ranching. He died in Alturas in 1939.