PARKER, Henry

PARKER, RIGGS, FOXWORTHY, HUGHES, LAWSON, KEAST, MOATS, NAYLOR

Posted By: L Logue (email)
Date: 11/26/2013 at 00:54:44

The Malvern Leader, January 27, 1916

This community suffered a distinct loss the past week in the death of Henry Parker, one of the old time residents and prominent citizens of the county. Mr Parker passed away at his home in Peaceville early Saturday morning after a brief illness of pneumonia following an attack of the grippe.

Mr. Parker was born in Barrowby, Lincolnshire, England, December 4, 1848. He came to the United States with his family in 1868 and located in Mills County living for a number of years south of Malvern and later moving to Pottawattamie County near Macedonia where he resided until about five years ago when he bought his home at Peaceville, south of Malvern and spent the remainder of his days there.

He was united in marriage January 14, 1873 with Mrs. Mary E. Riggs, a daughter of the late Joseph Foxworthy. To them were born ten children, five sons and five daughters, nine of whom with the loving wife survive him. They are Mrs. Lula Hughes of Wellington, Colo., Mrs. Minnie Lawson of Silver City, Fred W. Parker of Oakland, Mrs. Bertha Keast of Macedonia, Mrs. Elva May Moats of Kirksville, Mo., Robert L. Parker and Mrs. Millie Naylor of Malvern and Sherman Parker from near Randolph. All were here for the funeral excepting Mrs. Hughes who was unable to come on account of sickness.

While yet in England he was converted and united with the Methodist church of which he was ever afterward an active member and a thorough going ardent Christian. He was always found in his place in church or Sunday School and he had a wonderful influence for right over all with whom he came in contact.

Mr. Parker was an enthusiastic and successful stockman and was one of the first men in this part of the state to commence the breeding of pure bred stock; and his horses, hogs and poultry became noted over a large territory. He had an especially fine strain of Percheron horses and took a justifiable pride in them.

He was a good citizen and had in a wonderful way gained the confidence of all his business associates who relied upon his word as well as his excellent judgement in live stock matters. He did a great work in raising the standard of live stock in this section of Iowa.

He was one of five brothers who came from England in the earlier history of the country, George, Joseph, John, Henry and James, of whom James alone survives. All were big strong men well known for their sturdy characters and high class ctizenship. They are the kind of men we miss.

The funeral was held from the Malvern Methodist church Monday afternoon, conducted by the pastor, Rev. M. A. Gable assisted by Rev. H. G. Parker of Blanchard, a nephew of the deceased. A special choir, Mrs. F. R. Chantry, Mrs. L. B. Austin, R. W. Criswell and Fred Stone sang. The casket was covered with beautiful flowers symbolical of the pure life Mr. Parker had lived. The remains were laid to rest in the Malvern cemetery. The pall bearers were the sons and sons-in-law of Mr. Parker.