Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Parker, William Porter January 24, 1943
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Marilyn Ransom mlnransom@chartermi.net June 23, 2010, 4:36 pm

The Lake Odessa Wave, Thursday, January 28, 1943
William Porter Parker, Lake Odessa’s oldest resident passed away Sunday 
afternoon after being confined to his bed for many weeks.  For several years 
he has been faithfully cared for by Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Baldwin who inherited 
the former residence property of Mrs. John Lowe, who had arranged for Mr. 
Parker to have a home there for the remainder of his life.  Mr. Parker’s aim 
in the last few years had been to live to be a hundred years old, which he 
would have been had he lived until September 15, next.

Mr. Parker was born in Trumbull County, Ohio in 1843.  His parents, Mr. and 
Mrs. James Parker, moved to Niles, Ohio in 1844 and in his childhood he 
attended school with William McKinley who afterward became president of the 
United States.  They enlisted in the Union Army the same year (1861).  Mr. 
Parker served as bugler and drummer during the four succeeding years of the 
Civil war.  He was mustered out at San Antonio, Texas, being sent there to 
help with the expulsion of Emperor Maximillian.  He was offered a position by 
President McKinley but preferred to be free.  After returning to Niles he 
worked in the rolling mills there.  Then he went to Detroit and from there to 
Lake Odessa, about 19 or 20 years ago.  

He spent several winters in Biloxi, Mississippi in his early 90’s enjoying the 
pastimes of the Old People’s club there.  It was from there he became 
acquainted with Mrs. John Lowe who arranged for his future care.  He probably 
was Ionia county’s last Civil war veteran and member or the Grand Army of the 
Republic.  

He leaves several nephews, Thomas and Carl Lowrey at Saranac, Harvey Lowrey at 
Dearborn, and Ralph Peer, Lake Odessa, and a niece Mrs. Elva Mitchel at 
Saranac.  

The funeral was held at the Wortley & Baine chapel Tuesday afternoon, the Rev. 
Charles R. Thies officiating, and burial was in Lakeside cemetery.  Bearers 
were members of the LaVerne Demaray post of the American Legion.

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/ionia/obits/p/parker5926nob.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/mifiles/

File size: 2.5 Kb