Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-07-06
"JAcK" PARKER GIVES LIFE AS
FORFEIT FOR PAIRING CORN
TOO CLOSELY.
WAS A PIONEER IN
G. 4 NV. SERVICE
Came to Belle Plaine in Early Day,
and Fired First Coal Burning Loco
motive West Of Mississippi River
Ran Switch Engine in This City
Twenty five Years-Had War Record

Jack" Parker, 80 South Center
street, the veteran Northwestern en-
gineer of this city, is dead. The end,
which resulted from blood poisoning
caused by pairing a corn too closely
about six weeks ago, came at st.
Thomas hospital at 1880 Monday fore
noon, and for weeks has been known to
be inevitable.
Mr. Parker had been in the hospital
three weeks, and on June IA submitted
TO an operation, the left leg being am
putated above the knee. Gangrene had
set in and the operation was the last
resort in the hopes of arresting the
maiady. The aged man came near dy-
ing under the operation, but rallied,
and for time was doing nicely. Then
general septicemia became noticeable in
a gangrenous affection of the right foot,
which gradually extended up the leg.
MIR. Parker was conscious almost to
the end. despite his serious condition
and made all of the arrangements for
his funeral
Jackson ID. Parker was born March
80. 1888, in Schuyler county New York
of German-American parents. In early
youth his parents emigrated to Albion
Mich then frontier settlement and
settled on farm. Here Jack" as he
was familiarly called by all. labored on
this farm. When the South Carolinan
secessionists fred on "Old. Glory" and
the president issued his first call for
defenders of the old flag. he was among
the first to offer his services to his
country, enlisting at Albion, Mich, in
the Fifth Michigan light artillery After
serving with his battery in all Its
campaigns, he was taken sick with lung
fever and was sent TO the hospital at
ST. Louis. After convalescing he was
discharged and sent home
Recovering his health and strength
he again offered his services to his
country. was accepted, shouldering his
musket he went to the front His sec
ond enlistment was at Chica go in Com
pany H, Forty-second Illinois infantry
in which he served until the end of the
war.
Fired First Coal Burner.
great westward movement, landing at
Belle Pladne. then a hustling frontier
town. the western terminus of the C.
& NV. Railway Company, in 1866.
Entering the companys employ as
wiper of engines, he was soon made a
fireman and 1t was his proud boast
that he fired the first coal burner ever
run west of the Mississippi river. He
was in the company's service constant
ly since, up to the time he was retired
on a company pension, six years ago.
He lived in this city continuously for
lthirty-six years, and ran switch en-
quarter of a century.
| Mr.. Parker was the last of his fam
lilly, his father, mother one brother
1 and three sisters having preceded him
70 the great beyond. He left surviv-
ing him his wife, Emma F.. of Mar
shalltown; one daughter, Mrs. R. P
Sniffen, of Brooklyn, n. Y, and one
son. Charles A. Parker, of New York
City
! 1nternent will be in Belle Plaine
Wednesday morning. under the aus
pices of Banner Lodge, No. 1913, /. o
o. F., and 3. of L. E., Montana d.
vision, No. 6, of Boone. The house will
be open 10 friends from until {
O'Clock this evening.
Mr. Parker's son and daughter came
TO the city four weeks ago. shortly be.
fore the operation at the hospital. anc
have been here during nearly his en-.
tire illness.