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
Edwin L. Parker John G. Parker
Edwin L. Parker
Edwin L. Parker was born in Hillsboro, New Hampshire, January
22, 1841, son of Matthew and Ismena Parker; both parents dying in 1857.
He came to Steuben County in 1852, and for quite a length of
time was in the employ of C. L. Luce, on the farm now belonging to Mr. Lincoln.
In August, 1861, Mr. Parker enlisted in Company A, 29th Indiana
Volunteer Infantry; was in the hospital two weeks in the Winter of ‘61
and ‘62 at Louisville, Kentucky, with fever; furloughed 30 days; took
part in the battles of Shiloh and siege of Corinth, then went to Huntsville
and Stevenson, Alabama; discharged at Indianapolis in September 1862. Re-enlisted
the same month in Company M, 9th Indiana Volunteer Cavalry; promoted to Corporal
Sargeant in Infantry service, and 2nd Lieutenant in Cavalry regiments.
On detached duty at Mount Vernon and in Kentucky, and finally discharged
at Glasgo, Kentucky. Lieutenant Parker also served in the U. S. Army,
enlisting as a private, promoted to Corporal Sargeant then to Lieutenant
in Battle of Sandy Creek, Colorado, with Sioux and Cheyenne’s, where
over five hundred Indians were killed. He lived three years in Montana
and Colorado, where he had many perilous adventures.
He was a member of Star Lodge A. F. & A. M.; Kendallville
Commandery 29; Indianapolis S. P. and R. S. He had been treasurer
in blue lodge for several years and had been High Priest of Orland Chapter
No. 100 for several years. Was a good soldier and thoroughly believed
in the principles taught in the Masonic Lodge.
He was interested in all the things that promoted good citizenship.
He was a good business man and his word was considered as good
as his note. Whatsoever he undertook was done with his might.
Had contributed to the main street in Orland, a fine agricultural implement
building and was engaged in the sale of such implements up to the time of
his death, March 10, 1907.
Since the war closed he has made his home in Orland, and was
married to Sarah Choate in September, 1861, and gloom has not only come to
this home of which he was so fond, but to the entire community. He
leaves a sister, two brothers, a wife, son, and three grand-children to mourn
the loss of one so devoted and kind.
It will be a long time before Orland people forget these two
brothers (John and Ed. Parker) who were so united in life that hand in hand
they enter eternity, never again to be separated--both dying March 10th and
buried March 13th one at 10 O’clock, the other at two. Rev. Schumaker
officiating.
The gates of Greenlawn cemetery have again swung open, and
our esteemed friends are there laid to rest.
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.
John G. Parker
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 from 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 ____
finding all true to his expectations he came back to Iamis 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 a 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 nearly 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 unparalleled.
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 and four children and four grand-children mourn because he 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; and the latter but one.
The funerals of both were held Wednesday, March 13th from their
respective homes, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon.
Rev. Schumaker officiating.
Source: Orland Newspaper, soon after March 10, 1907,
submitted by Doris Sickels Smith