STEUBEN REPUBLICAN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1904, page 1, column 6

BELLE (HUNTER) PARKER, 07 Aug 1850 - 15 Mar 1904

   Belle Parker was born in Clyde, Ohio, Aug. 7, 1850, and moved to Orland 
in 1860.  She was married to Frank Parker, Nov. 12, 1868, and Orland has 
been their home until her death, March 15, 1904.
   When it was known a few days previous that she could not live, the 
whole community was in deep sorrow, for she leaves a host of friends, an 
aged father, a brother, sister, a lonely, sorrowful daughter and husband 
to mourn and weep as only those who have had like afflictions can 
understand.  Everything was done for her that loving hands and medical 
skill could possibly do, but steadily and quietly she slipped away with a 
smiling good-bye.
   The floral offerings from friends, the choir, Christian Endeavor, 
social committee of which she was a member, and beautiful emblem from the 
Masonic Lodge all helped to rob of its deep gloom the funeral which took 
place at their pleasant home, March 18, 1904.  Many friends from near and 
far gathered to express their love for the departed, as on former 
occasions they had met to share her unrivaled hospitality.  Impressive 
services were conducted by Rev. Long, assisted by Elder Rose, and 
underneath a mantle of pure white snow she was laid to rest in Green Lawn 
Cemetery.
   Those of us who knew her best feel that this obituary would be 
incomplete without a just tribute to her memory.  She was endowed by 
nature with rare beauty, intelligence, perseverance and an untiring energy 
which made her capable of carrying life's burdens up hill or down as the 
case might be with ease and cheerfulness.  Her busy fingers could fashion 
out of odds and ends things of use and beauty likewise, out of odds and 
ends of her time she could plan and execute happy surprises for any one in  
need.  She gave of her strength to the weak, had words of encouragement 
for the faltering, tolerance for the unfortunate and sympathy for the 
sorrowing.
   When the baby girl came into their home, then it was she showed to the 
world the greatest gift, that of true motherhood.  This girl, trained by 
so skillful a hand, is now able to take up the work where her mother left 
it, and carry it to completion.  She took great pleasure in serving her 
aged and feeble parents, no task too great if it brought them comfort.  
Mrs. Parker had been a member of the choir for many years and it was at 
her home they gathered for the weekly rehearsal.  Much of her time and 
strength was given to all the church activities.  She was an ideal home-
maker, a loving and dutiful wife, and when her husband was wearied from 
labor and toil it was in her company that he found rest and comfort.  Such 
a life will have its reward and such home makers would evangelize the 
world.
(Picture included with obituary)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

   Belle (Hunter) Parker, 07 Aug 1850 - 15 Mar 1904, was the 1st wife of 
Frank D. Parker, 10 Jul 1848 - 18 Dec 1932.  They are buried at Greenlawn 
Cemetery, Orland, Steuben County, Indiana.  Belle was the daughter of John 
A. Hunter, 04 Feb 1827 - 07 Nov 1906, and Eliza C. (Rathbun) Hunter, 02 
Feb 1827 - 24 May 1901 (26th in Eliza's obituary).  They are also buried at 
Greenlawn Cemetery.  Frank D. Parker was the son of Matthew Parker, 09 Oct 
1803 - 22 Aug 1856, and Ismana Parker who died 11 May 1856.  They are 
buried at Jackson Prairie Cemetery, Steuben County, Indiana.
   Josie M. (Parker) Ellingwood, 23 Jul 1882 - May 1964, married William 
J. Ellingwood.  Josie is buried at Greenlawn Cemetery.  William's burial 
place unknown.  Josie is referred to as a foster daughter is a second item 
about Frank D. Parker's obit in 1932.
   BELLE'S SIBLINGS:
   Mary Calista (Hunter) Cleveland, 1849 - 1923, on 05 Oct 1863, married 
William C. Cleveland, 1842 - 1910.  They are buried at Jamestown Cemetery, 
Steuben County, Indiana.
   Frank P. Hunter, 18542 - 1916, on 24 Dec 1874, married Eva Beach (no 
dates in Cemetery Book).  They are buried at Greenlawn Cemetery.
   Frank married his 2nd wife on 11 Nov 1906, Anna Mary (Showalter) Moore, 
former wife of Dr. Joseph Moore.  Anna's burial place unknown.
   FRANK D. PARKER'S SIBLINGS:
   Twin brothers:
   E. A. Parker, 22 Jan 1841, died in Andersonville Prison while serving 
his country in the Civil War.
   Edwin L. Parker, 22 Jan 1841 - 10 Mar 1907, married Sarah O. (Choate) 
Parker, 1833 - 1920, buried at Greenlawn Cemetery.
   John G. Parker, 10 Dec 1838 - 10 Mar 1907, married Elmira J. (Luce) 
Parker, 27 Aug 1859 - 27 Jun 1913, the daughter of Gov. Cyrus G. Luce and 
Julia (Dickinson) Luce.
   
"History of Steuben County, Indiana - 1885," page 508, biography of 
father, John A. Hunter.
Steuben Republican, June 5, 1901, obituary of mother, Eliza C. (Rathbun) 
Hunter.
"Cemeteries of Steuben County, Indiana, 1990," by Audree Seibel Lewis, 
Vol. 1, pages 359, 561, 942, 943; Vol. 2, pages 1399, 1400.l
www.familysearch.org - 1880 United States Census
Submitted by:  Mona Hilden-Beckwith
e-mail:  hilbeck123@att.net