FROM "OVER 50 PAGES OF XEROXED MATERIAL FROM MABLE'S BIG BOOK," CARNEGIE PUBLIC LIBRARY OF STEUBEN COUNTY, ANGOLA, INDIANA. JOHN G. PARKER, 10 Dec 1838 - 10 Mar 1907 Hand in Hand They Enter Eternity Two Brothers, John and Ed. Parker, Who For Years Have Been Prominent in the Commercial Life Of Orland Die on Same Date John G. Parker was born in Hillsboro, New Hampshire, December 10, 1838, son of Matthew and Ismena Parker, both parents dying in 1857. He came to Steuben County in 1852 and commenced work for Charles Luce, on what is now known as the Lincoln farm, there meeting with an accident that totally disabled him for agricultural work. About this time the gold fever was running high in the west, and he grasped the idea of freighting to Colorado and Montana. Not finding all true to his expectations he came back to Tamis City, Iowa, and conducted a store there for a time; sold out, and returned to Orland. He went into business in 1868 with his brother James, and in about two years bought him out and commenced for himself, and has here remained until he died, March 10, 1907; doing business with the people in and around Orland for nearly forty years, his name standing at the head of our little commercial world. He has built up a business that is far reaching, and one that his family can be justly proud of. He had for his motto: "Live and let live." His competitors loved and esteemed him, his customers had confidence in him, and he made a success of his business by his close application to its details. So, today, the business men mourn because a great and good man has fallen. He was large hearted and generous, always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need, so those whose pathway has been rough feel that they have lost a friend. For over thirty years he had labored to secure a railroad through Orland. Nearly two years ago after several weeks of hard work, he and others succeeded in securing the right of way, and in raising a large sum of money for the St. Joseph Valley Line to operate into Orland. This road is now nearing completion, but the man who had toiled so long for it, only lived to see it completed to within seven miles of his home. The church of which he has been a member for several years, feels that one of its strongest supporters has fallen. He was punctual in attendance, energetic in its activities, a cheerful and generous giver and we can only pray that his mantle may fall upon some one who will do the work as well. His fatherly care for his brothers and sisters was unparallelled. Only one sister and two brothers remain out of a family of ten. He was married to Elmira J. Luce, December 27, 1870, and in this village have spent all their married life. His crowning glory was in his home; for his wife and children he toiled, he thought and planned, so that their every wish might be gratified, and to them he has left an untarnished name, the greatest inheritance that can fall to children; and today, the wife, four children and four grand-children mourn because his is no more. Few things have ever happened in Orland that has so taken hold of all its citizens as did the news of the death of the two Parker brothers, Ed. and John. The former sick three weeks; the latter, but one. The funerals of both were held Wednesday, March 13th, from their respective homes, one in the morning, the other in the afternoon. Rev. Schumaker officiating at each, and both were laid away in Green Lawn cemetery. Such a scene as this brings sorrow to all hearts, and sympathy to those so near and dear. Floral Tributes for Both The floral tokens of love and sympathy from friends far and near, from the business men of the town, from citizens, lodges, churches, and different societies were beautiful, they seemed to bring heaven nearer, rob death of much of its gloom, and bind all hearts closer together. (Picture included with obituary) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: John G. Parker, 10 Dec 1838 - 19 Mar 1907, married Elmira Jane (Luce) Parker, 27 Aug 1851 - 27 Jun 1913. They are buried at Greenlawn Cemetery, Orland, Steuben County, Indiana. John was the son of Matthew Parker, 09 Oct 1893 - 22 Aug 1856, and Isema (Darrah) Parker, born about 1811 and died 11 May 1856. His parents are buried at Jackson Prairie Cemetery, Orland, Steuben County, Indiana. The cemetery books lists the year of their deaths as 1856, not 1857. Elmira Jane (Luce) Parker was the daughter of Cyrus Grey Luce, 02 Jul 1824 - 18 Mar 1905, and Julia Ann (Dickinson) Luce, 21 Jul 1829 - 13 Aug 1882. Her father's 2nd wife was Mary E. (Brown) Thompson Luce. Her father was twice elected Governor of Michigan. Her grandparents were Walter Josiah Luce, 08 May 1794 - 20 Apr 1872, who married Mary M. (Gray) Luce, 16 Mar 1803 - 12 Feb 1879. They are buried at Greenlawn Cemetery. Note: on page 1163 in "Cemeteries of Steuben County, 1990," by Audree Seibel Lewis, she noted that Mary Gray Luce was originally buried at Carleton Cemetery with her husband, Walter. Whether the bodies were moved or not is uncertain but the family eventually realized that it was inappropriate for the parents of Governor Cyrus Luce to be buried in an inaccessible and abandoned cemetery and put new marble monuments in Greenlawn Cemetery at Orland, Indiana. One son of John's marriage is listed in the cemetery book, Howard Luce Parker, 1874 - 1949, married Grace (Peet) Parker, 18 Feb 1881 - Sep 1972. They are buried at Greenlawn Cemetery. Grace was the daughter of Henry and Ella Peet. SIBLINGS OF JOHN G. PARKER: Edwin L. Parker (TWIN), 22 Jan 1841 - 10 Mar 1907, on 23 Sep 1861, married Sarah Orilla (Choate) Parker, Sep 1833 - 1920. They are buried at Greenlawn Cemetery. Sarah's parents were Cyrus Choate, 17 Mar 1801 - 30 Mar 1843, and Mary C. (Chapin) Choate who died 10 Sep 1855, age 49 years. Her parents are buried at Memorial Grove Cemetery, Steuben County, Indiana. Edward A. Parker, (TWIN), 22 Jan 1841 - died in Andersonville prison in the Civil War. He is listed in the cemetery book as a matter of historical record, one of the seven sons of Matthew and Isema Parker. Salmon Parker, 09 Mar 1842 - 25 May 1932, married Caroline (Archer) Root Parker, 18 Mar 1838 - 29 Aug 1913, buried at Jamestown Cemetery. She was probably his 2nd wife. He is also listed as the husband of Lucy Parker, 1843 - 1843 - 1876, buried at Memorial Grove Cemetery. Frank D. Parker, 10 Jul 1848 - 18 Dec 1932, married 1st, Belle (Hunter) Parker, 07 Aug 1850 - 15 Mar 1904. They are buried at Greenlawn Cemetery. Frank married 2nd, Anna Mary (Showalter) Moore Parker, widow of Dr. Joseph Moore. Her burial place unknown. SIBLING OF ELMIRA JANE (LUCE) PARKER: Dwight D. Luce, died 04 Mar 1858, age 2 years and 7 months, buried at Carleton Cemetery, Steuben County, Indiana. Steuben Republican, 21 Aug 1907, "Old Settlers" death list, John G. Parker. Steuben Republican, 20 Aug 1913, "Olsd Settlers" death list, Elmira Jane Parker. "Cemeteries of Steuben County, Indiana, 1990," by Audree Seibel Lewis, Vol. 2, pages 1163, 1164, 1399, 1400, 1401, 1402. SCGS Quarterly, Vol.8, No.4, pages 3, 4-Winter 2003-John G. Parker. www.familysearch.org Submitted by Mona Hilden-Beckwith e-mail: hilbeck123@att.net