PARKER, Hon. John

PARKER, SALYERS, JOHNSON, TUCKER, PHELPS

Posted By: L Logue (email)
Date: 11/20/2013 at 03:18:33

The Malvern Leader
April 8, 1915
Death of Hon. John Parker
This community was shocked yesterday morning to learn of the passing of Hon. John Parker at his home in this city. He had been in poor health from a year or so past but was feeling pretty well again until last week when he was taken with an attack of tonsillitis and his system was unable to with-stand the disease. His son, Rev. Grant Parker and wife and his daughter, Mrs. W.H. Salyers and Mrs. Parker were with him at the end. The funeral will be held Sunday afternoon April 11, at 2:30 from the Methodist church. Obituary next week.

The Malvern Leader
April 15, 1915
Passing of a Good Man
Hon. John Parker Laid to Rest Sunday, April 11
Funeral Held from Malvern M.E. Church

The funeral services of Hon. John Parker, mention of whose death was made in last week's issue, were held from the Methodist church in Malvern, Sunday afternoon, April 11, at 2:30 o'clock conducted by the pastor, Rev. Frank Caldwell assisted by Rev. W.H. Doyle of the Silver City M.E. Church.

We have seldom seen a larger crowd attending a funeral that came to attend the last sad rites of their old time neighbor and friend at this time. The large church was filled to the limit and a large crowd were yet outside. Beautiful flowers filled the front of the church and banked around the casket, testifying in a mute way to the love and esteem in which the deceased was held. A special choir sang appropriate hymns. Mr. Caldwell preached the sermon, taking for his text, 'He was a good man' and spoke eloquently of the life Mr. Parker had lived and the influence he had always exerted for good.

The Odd Fellows of which order he was an honored member attended in a body, members being present from Silver City, Malvern, Glenwood, Henderson and Hastings. There were 100 of them in line and at the cemetery they had charge of the services using the beautiful ritual services of the order. This was in charge of the Silver City lodge to which Mr. Parker belonged, and Thos F. Plumb had charge.

The four sons and four of the sons in law acted as pall bearers as they bore the loved remains to the Malvern cemetery where interment was made.

Mr. Parker was one of Mill's County's best and most representative men. He came here in 1867, locating a few years later on his fine farm east of Silver City where he made his home until a couple of years ago. He was a progressive and up to date farmer and always took an active part in Farmers Institutes and other means of elevating the farming business, and he was likewise a very successful farmer and stockman. With all his busy life, he never neglected his church and the higher things in life for which it stood. He was stong in Sunday School work and an active member of the county association, and spent freely of his time and money advancing this great work.

Politically, he was a life long Republican and while he was staunch for the principles he believed right, he was always fair minded with his opponents and always held their respect and honor.

He was twice elected a member of the state legislature from this county and served his constituents honorably and well and was recognized as one of the strong conservative members of this House.

Personally, the editor has known Mr. Parker for over twenty years and he always commanded our sincere admiration and respect. As a friend, as a neighbor, as a citizen and in his home it can truly be said of him that he was a good man.

The following obituary was read at the service:

John Parker was born at Barrowby, Lincolnshire, England, Dec. 18, 1837 and in his home at Malvern, Iowa on April 7, 1915 he passed triumphantly to his reward; aged 77 years, 3 months and 20 days.

In the spring of 1857 he decided to come to the land of opportunities, settling in Marion County, Ohio. On Sept. 19, 1861 he was united in marriage to Mary Louise Johnson. This union was blessed with ten children; six daughters and four sons, all of whom are living. They are Mrs. W.H. Salyers, Mrs. J.E. Jonhson of this place; Mrs. Wm. Tucker and Mrs. Richard Tucker of York, Nebraska; Mrs. G.W. Phelps of Ohiowa, Neb; and Mrs. D.N. Salyers of Wellington, Colo; Grant of Blanchard; Roy of Las Vegas, New Mexico; Joy and Guy of this place. These with the wife and mother, two brothers, and a host of relatives and friends, abide to cherish his memory.

In 1867 he came to Mills County, Iowa where he has since resided, the last two years being spent in Malvern, Although he presented a robust constitution, father Parker has experienced from time to time much physical affliction, but he was always disposed to look upon the bright side of it all. That indomitable will and courage which characterized his entire life, was never more in evidence than under those many physical reverses he suffered, and which remained with him to the very last.

He graduated from the schools at the tender age of seven years, and went out into the field to help in the support of the family. Thus his opportunities for acquiring an eduction where limited to fragments of time, which he wisely made the most of; finding in them in the course of the years, twelve full baskets of golden knowledge.

He was converted at the age of 32, and united with the Methodist Episcopal church of which he remained an earnest influential member until the time of his passing away.

We need not speak of his potential influence upon men from an industrial, political, social or spiritual standpoint. Whether men could agree with him or not, they at least believed in him. They never were obliged to question in their minds as to where to find him on any moral issue, they knew where he stood. His life has spoken; the impress for good will live. How fitting it seems that this man, full of years, full of life, full of faith in the Risen Lord, should have passed to his coronation in the Easter season."

"Servant of God well done,

Thy glorious warfare is passed,

The battle is fought, the race is won

And thou art crowned at last."