Frank Marshall Parmenter
PARMENTER, MILLER, ROWE, HOLLENBECK
Posted By: CJeanealogy (email)
Date: 4/2/2018 at 22:47:14
The Marion Register Wednesday December 25, 1895
Obituary. (Extract from Pastor's Address.)
"Yet Love will dream and Faith will trust.
Since he who knows us best is just,
That somehow, somewhere meet we must."
The healing branch in the bitter winters of human life is the hope to meet again. Were it not for the rainbow that spans the grave human hearts would break. Scarcely had this young man entered upon manhood's life ere he was called to test the life invisible.
Frank, son of Stephen and Lydia Parmenter was born in Marion, Iowa, August 29, 1874. Here he lived and grew and blessed his home. Never very strong, so poorly indeed as the years went by he found himself unable to complete the high school course but better health came with outdoor business life. Several years ago he entered the employ of the C.M. & St. Paul Railway Company, where he proved himself a valued employee. His comrades speak of him only to praise. Certain characteristics were very prominent in his life. One was industry. He knew no waste time. While many other young men were prodigal of their time and money he saved both. Seeking to serve the company he served himself. No need drove him so this; it was the conviction of his developing nature that a worthy man was a busy man. Every habit that he felt interfered with business fidelity was slain at its appearance. His was an energetic busy life.
Another was his temperance principles. Railway companies have interdicted the drink business from a financial standpoint. Certainly they care for loss of life, but drinking men irrespective of this render poorer service.
Were all its trusted servants like Frank Parmenter no railway or state legislation would be needed on this subject. He hated the traffic and despised the stuff. More a thinker than a talker he had thought to a conclusion on this subject and his growing soul was deeply stirred by the evil that it brought. The last really conscious thing he did was to refuse it even as medicine and he died protesting its unworthiness for human use.
And then how tender hearted, thoughtful hearted he was. As nearly as any young man I know he merited about his home, where I knew him best, and I doubt not elsewhere, the name of gentleman. His mother did not tie him to her, there was no need, he tied himself to her. An all night's task as his business did not weary him too much to be her burden bearer in the morning ere he lay down to rest, and a call to duty did not rush him off without the good bye kiss. I mention this particularly because this seems an age when young men forget to give full honor and sweet comfort to their most weariless unselfish friend, the mother. To his father he was both courage and tenderness and as brother loyal and sweet of spirit. The last time I saw him to chat with him he told me of the sorrow that had come to Mr. Castello.
So far as I knew Frank had never made a profession of religion. He spoke most openly of the blessed change that it had made in the family home and of the open allegiance he owed to Christ. His inability to attend services was doubtless the main reason why the step fro which so many prayed was never publicly taken. During his last illness he felt that life was soon to close and that little time was left for readiness to meet the future. He evidently tried to use that time for he said, "I am not afraid to die" Standing by his bedside on Wednesday morning last and praying for him as I had been specially doing since his illness there came into my soul the sweet peace that Christ who knew it all had in His own way led him to Himself. Not the drops of water laid upon his brow by request with a sentence baptismal prayer for there was no opportunity more, were his salvation, but Christ the world's Redeemer was my hope for him. We sometimes never see our quick duty and privilege until too, late to meet them well. I doubt not that Frank felt that there was meager time to do what must be done and regretted that the much had not been done. That he did what he could, put himself in the hand of Christ lovingly, trustingly brings great comfort and sweet hope. He died Wednesday Dec. 18-2pm.
The funeral services were held in the Methodist Episcopal church on Friday last, conducted by Rev. Dr. J.G. Van Ness and were largely attended. Many railway men and their families were present to pay tribute to one whom they personally knew and loved. The pall bearers were chosen from his associates. Very manly and noble did he look in the beautiful white casket beneath a mass of white blossoms; very tenderly was he laid to rest in the city cemetery beside the sacred dust of dear ones. The family greatly appreciate the kindness of their friends in the hour of their great trial.
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