Willis Dorr Parker 1836-1908

PARKER

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 4/17/2020 at 15:02:18

Willis Dorr Parker
(February 11, 1836 – May 18, 1908)

Pomeroy Herald, Pomeroy, Iowa, Thurs., May 21, 1908, p.5, col.3
Sudden Death; W. D. Parker Dies of Heart Disease Monday Night – Settled in Calhoun County in 1868
Tuesday morning the citizens of Pomeroy were startled to learn of the sudden death of Mr. W. D. Parker, one of the first settlers in this community and a time honored citizen. He died suddenly about eleven o’clock Monday night, aged 72 years, 3 months and 7 days.
It was known by the family and a few intimate friends that he was not in the best of health, but no one suspected a quick termination of his honored and eventful life. Some time ago he was badly frightened by a runaway team and was sick from the effects. Last Saturday he was a pall bearer at the funeral of Mrs. Fuller and the ride over the rough roads and in the hot sun may have somewhat caused the death. The doctor was called Monday afternoon but deemed his case only temporary. A short time before eleven, in the evening, he was restless and had a severe pain in his chest, he got up for awhile and after going back to bed remarked that he thought he would sleep and soon be all right. He then quickly rolled over on his side, gasped and expired without a word or a quiver.
Mr. and Mrs. Parker were among the first settlers in this vicinity. Ft. Dodge was then the closest town. Groceries and provisions had to be hauled form that place. The family endured the hardships incident to the new country, such as drought, high waters, grass hoppers and etc. Sometimes Mr. Parker would have to wade into icy water up to his waist and cut the ice so his team could get through the sloughs. Mary settlers who came later found shelter in their home until they themselves could get a cabin built in which to reside. They were truly good Samaritans on the bleak and barren prairies. Mr. Parker held many positions of trust as township, school and political officer. Mr. Parker had previously requested that at his death the funeral be held at the residence, and that the family team, a beautiful pair of white horses, should draw his remains to the cemetery. He was laid to rest in the handsome grounds where he, as one of the cemetery committee, had taken so many pains to fence and in many ways to beautify. He leaves his estimable wife, the devoted partner of his youth; son, D. S. Parker, wife and six children, and his daughter’s husband, Mr. Darling and four children, to mourn the irreparable loss. The daughter died thirteen years ago.
Willis Dorr Parker was born in Otsego County, New York, Feb. 11, 1836, the oldest of a family of ten children. In the same county on Nov. 28, 1857 he was united in marriage to Helen M. Jones. Their home was in Little Valley, New York, until 1867, in that year they came to Iowa, settling in Harden County. A year later they moved to Calhoun County and took up a homestead one and one half miles west of Pomeroy. For many years they lived here, then later in life retired to their present home in Pomeroy. Mr. and Mrs. Parker celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage last Thanksgiving Day with their children and grandchildren. The bereaved family has the sincere sympathy of the whole community in their deep loss and sorrow.
Card of Thanks – We desire to return our sincere thanks to the many kind neighbors and friends for their earnest solicitude and helping hands during the brief illness, death and burial of our beloved husband and father. Also we would thank Rev. J. W. Huber for his consoling words, and the choir for the sweet music rendered at the services. Mrs. W. D. Parker, Mr. and Mrs. D. S. Parker and children, Mr. and Mrs. Darling and children