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William Stirling Parkerson is a descendant of Alexander Stirling of St. Mary's Parish Louisiana thru his mother Elizabeth H. Stirling. SOURCE: Biographical Memoirs of Louisiana Vol II, 1892. Page Q Chicago Goodspeed Publishing Co. William Stirling Parkerson, one of the leading members of the New Orleans bar, as well as one of the most brilliant orators of the South, is a native of Louisiana, he being born on the Stirling plantation, in St. Mary's Parish, on the 24th of April 1857. His father, James G. Parkerson, still resides in the state. He was at one time an extensive sugar planter in the parish of St. Mary. The immediate maternal ancestor of our subject is Elizabeth H. Stirling, who still survives. His ancestry on both sides are natives of Louisiana. Descended from a line of ancestry in whose veins mingled the blood of the sturdy English and Scotch races, WIlliam S. Parkerson has inherited those principles of honesty and unswerving determination of purpose, the attributes of those people and which, when the time was ripe, stood out so plainly in his own career. He attended the Rugby school at Franklin, La., until he had attained the age of seventeen years, at which time he became a student at St. Stephen's college, of New York, from which institution he graduated in 1879. During his entire school work he applied himself with such diligence that his general average was ninety-five. He had early decided upon the legal profession, and in the fall of 1879 he entered the law department of the University of Louisiana (now known as Tulane University), and graduated in May 1880, being chosen valedictorian of his class. In January, 1881, he began the practice of law in New Orleans and soon acquired distinction. He has rapidly gathered about him a large and extensive practice, requiring his attention in the federal, state and district courts. In conducting a case in court is, perhaps, where the inexhaustible energy, the great talent and wonderful ability of the man are most vividly shown, or perhaps it were better to state, called into action. Cool, quiet and dignified, he is ever courteous and considerate toward his opponent and associates, always treating them with deference and respect, but this does not suffer the slightest point to escape his vigilance. Carefully watching his vantage-ground, he quickly detects the points involved, and with that ability which has won so often, applies them to his case. He is a forcible speaker, and when absorbed in the interests of a case he loses sight of all else and his arguments carry conviction with them. He is, perhaps, aided in this by his knightly bearing, being a man of commanding and pleasing personal appearance. On October 24 he was united in the bonds of matrimony with Miss Alice. P. Putnam, of New Orleans, and to them have been born three children - two sons and one daughter. Taking into consideration the age, Mr. Parkerson is one of the most prominent, influential and respected citizens of the city. Ever active in political affairs and a staunch supporter of the democracy, we find him in 1888 the president of the Young Men's Democratic association. The aim of this organization was the purification of municipal politics, and the elimination of certain objectionable factors. It entered the political arena boldly and was led to signal victory by their chosen guide. In acknowledgment of his brilliant services he was tendered the position of city attorney by the unanimous vote of the city council. This honor, however, he declined. Her sterling qualities as an orator and leader have recently been severely tested, and the calmness and composure with which he faced the responsibility, when the confidence and respect of the better classes, who protested against the interference with the administration and the clogging of the wheels of justice by bribery. When the populace arose en masse at the refusal on the part of an intimidated or bribe-fixed jury to convict the murderers of Chief of Police Henessey, Mr. Parkerson became a leader, and they proceeded to avenge one of the most dastardly outrages ever committed in a civilized community. This test of Mr. Parkerson's courage and ability as a leader has attracted the attention of the entire country, and has brought him into prominence abroad as well as at home. A most convincing proof of this fact is the invitation recently extended to him by the citizens of Bloomington, Illinois, to deliver the oration at the celebration of the one hundred and fifteenth anniversary of the Independence of the United States. He accepted the invitation and on July 4th, 1891 addressed an audience of over 12,000. His address, which was widely published by the press of our country, shows a true spirit of patriotism and places him among our most prominent public orators.
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