Author Parton James

Nathaniel Parker Willis, and widow of Charles H. Eldredge (d. 1846), attained considerable popularity as a writer under the pen-name Fanny Fern. They were married in 1856. Her works include the novels, Ruth Hall (1854), reminiscent of her own life, and Rose Clark (1857); and several volumes of sketches and stories. In 1876 Parton married Ellen Willis Eldredge, his first wife's daughter by her first husband, Charles Eldredge. His adopted daughter, Ethel, the daughter of Grace Eldrege (Fanny Fern's daughter) and writer Mortimer Thomson (also known as Philander Doesticks), was adopted by Parton in 1872, and she later adopted Parton's last name. Ethel Parton became a famous writer of children's books about 19th century life in Newburyport, MA, published in the 1930s and 1940s. James and Ellen had two children, Hugo and Mabel. Hugo's children (James Parton's actual grandchildren) were James Parton and Niké (pronounced Ni-KAY, not like the shoes) Parton. James Parton(1912-2001) was founder and publisher of American Heritage and Horizon Magazines. Niké Parton (1922-2005) was a prominent Florida artist. This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica, Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.