Parden, James, 1838-1925

PARDEN, GALLAGHER

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:38

From the Rock Valley Bee, October 30, 1925:

DEATH OF JAMES PARDEN, FORMER RESIDENT HERE

The funeral of James A. Parden, George, was held at the Holy Name Catholic church in Rock Rapids Friday. Rev. Father Bullard celebrated requiem mass. The large congregation of relatives and friends bespoke the high esteem of the deceased man.

Mr. Parden’s death came with little warning and was a shock to the community, where he had lived so many years. Although 87, he had seemed to be in fairly good health. Upon arising Wednesday morning, he stated that he felt as well as usual. A few minutes later he was found lying on the floor of his bedroom. The doctor who was hurriedly summoned to the house pronounced it a case of heart failure.

The deceased man was born at Andover, N.Y., August 31, 1837. He came to northwestern Iowa in 1878, stopping at Sheldon. From there he went to Rock Valley, and for many years he was engaged in the furniture business. Later he was postmaster at Rock Valley for eight years, proving a capable official. In 1989, the family moved from Rock Valley to a farm southwest of George, and lived on it sixteen years. In 1914 Mr. Parden moved to George.

He was married in 1874 to Mary Gallagher at Andover. To them were born five sons and daughters, as follows: George Parden, Paullina; James Parden, Mason City; Mrs. H. S. King, Ashton; Dorothy Parden and Irene Parden, George. Mrs. Parden died six years ago.

“James A. Parden was a man of fine personality and with a large capacity for friendship—kindly, genial, upright and honorable,” says the George News. “Stalwart as a citizen, he ever stood for the best things. He was manly and devoted as a husband and a kind and loving father. Thus our friend and brother lived among us and leaves to all happy memories of a well spent life, abounding in good will.”—Rock Rapids Review.

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His death certificate has him as James Parden (no middle name or initial), born August 31, 1838 in New York; father William Parden, born in Ireland, mother’s name not known to informant (Miss Dorothy Parden); died October 14, 1925 in George, of a cerebral embolism, contributory cause chronic heart disease.

FindaGrave.com has him as James W. Parden, 1838-1925, confirmed by a photo of his headstone.