Born April 13, 1801, in Vermont, Anna was the daughter of Levi and Mary Lyon Parker. She married David Paige on June 15, 1823, in Royalton, Vermont, and had five children. Three of their children tragically passed away in infancy. In 1837, the Paiges embarked on a new chapter, settling in Downers Grove with their surviving children, Mary Alzina and Gardiner.
As a pioneer woman, Anna embodied resilience. She managed the demands of frontier life—keeping house, raising children, and even teaching school—all while carving out a place for her family in a growing community.
Her husband, David Paige, was more than just a farmer and clothier—he was an abolitionist who risked everything to support the Underground Railroad. Alongside well-known local figures like Israel Blodgett, Robert Dixon, Henry Carpenter, Rockwell Guild, and Pierce Downer, David played a vital role in the fight for freedom, offering aid to those escaping slavery. He passed away in 1864 and is buried in Main Street Cemetery, where his story continues to be told.
Anna remained a pillar of Downers Grove until her passing in 1879. She now rests in Main Street Cemetery at Marker B7, surrounded by three generations of the Paige family, their history preserved in stone. As the community gathers to honor her on May 3, her story will stand as a testament to the grit, compassion, and dedication of the town’s earliest settlers.
David Paige 1796 -1864
Anna Parker Paige 1801-1879
Gardiner Paige 1826 -1889
Annis Weed Gilbert Paige 1829-1894
Hannah G. Paige 1860-1865
Alzina J Paige 1865-1865
Mary Alzina Paige Pratt 1829-1856
Anna’s father, Levi Parker, was born on April 16, 1762, in Lincoln, Massachusetts, and passed away on March 20, 1813, in Royalton, Vermont. He was the son of Joseph and Eunice Hobbs Parker and one of their ten children. In 1768, Levi married Mary Lyon, and together they raised a family of nine children.
Levi served for three years in the 4th Massachusetts Regiment, enlisting in the fall of 1780 and serving as a Private until December 31, 1783. The regiment, originally raised in April 1775 by Col. Ebenezer Learned, was disbanded on November 3, 1783, at West Point, New York. During its service, the 4th Massachusetts Regiment participated in several significant battles, including Bunker Hill, the New York Campaign, Trenton, Princeton, Saratoga, Monmouth, and Rhode Island.
Levi’s wife, Mary—commonly known as Polly—received an annual pension of $80 until her death in 1853. When Levi passed away at the age of 50, he was laid to rest in North Royalton Cemetery in North Royalton, Vermont.
The Downers Grove Historical Society has named Anna Parker Paige as the 2025 Founder of the Year, recognizing her enduring contributions to the early Downers Grove community.
