The family history of Ray and Elma Parr has long, deep roots that link present-day St. Johns to its beginning in 1855.

Elma's great-grandfather, George W. Estes, was one of the earliest settlers of Bingham Township and was instrumental in the establishment of what would become the 'village' of St. Johns.

G.W. Estes was also an early resident of the village, owning a house on the northeast corner of Clinton Avenue and State Street.

Ray's grandfather, Lyman D. Parr, was born in Essex Township. He worked on farms in the area and in the grocery business in Ithaca before working at Calkins Grocery Store in downtown St. Johns near the turn of the century.

R.D. Parr (with mustache) and Calkins in front of grocery store. Ray said his dad worked there for a while. The other man (right) is identified as being Dell Whitlock. Date on back of the photo is 1895.

In 1910, L.D. Parr's son, Dart H. Parr, went to work at the drug store on the corner of Walker Street and Clinton Avenue in downtown St. Johns that was owned by a Mr. Travis and Clare Wilkinson.

Prescription records at the store date back to May 30, 1862, when Dr. Bagg was the owner of the building.

D.H. Parr, who graduated from pharmacy college at the University of Michigan, bought the business from Travis in 1916, entering into partnership with his father, L.D. Parr.

Ray also graduated from U-M, coming to work with his father in 1947 and later forming a partnership.

Ray bought the business in 1956, after his father suffered a second heart attack, and ran the store as a sole proprietorship until 1973 when a corporation was formed involving Elma and their son, Jim Parr, who graduated from pharmacy college at Ferris State University in 1974.

Parr's Pharmacy expanded to include a store in Maple Rapids in 1975, and acquired Finkbeiner's Pharmacy in Fowler that same year. Those stores were later sold.