Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-06-02

JOSEPH NEWELL PARKER
of one of his inventions. On Sunday he
felt tired from the long and hard trip
for a man of his years, and seemed to be
suffering from a slight cold. That night
after retiring he became restless and
found it very difficulty to sleep, in fact it
seemed impossible, and he sat up for
awhile thinking this would help About
four O'Clock Monday morning the shock
came. His wife, Augusta, assisted him
to the bed, where he lay practically I'M
conscious until breath ceased Tuesday
noon The end was calm and peaceful,
Just as Mr.. Parker had always expressed
a wish that the end would come.
Besides the widow, Augusta, the fol-
lowing children survive: Imogene F.
Norton, wife of Lavella Norton. living in
Kingfeld: Mabel Parker Cunningham
wife of DR. Chas. Cunningham, living at
Hammonton, n. j.: Newell D. Parker,
a merchant in New York City. whose
wife, Myrtle Rich Parker, is well known
in Kingffeld as we'll as Pennington; Alice
Josephine Cox of Philadelphia whose
husband is employed by the Pennsyl-
vania railroad; Edwin Hill Parker of
New York who is with the Fiat Autorflo-
bile Co. and who was recently married
to Miss Bertha Haimovici; Grace Leora
Parker of New York. in the employ of
the American Smelling and Refining Co
a nj the
early New England settlers. Captain
Josiah Parker. his grandfather. served in
the Revolutionary War, after which he
settled in East New Portland. Maine,
then Massachusetts. Capt Parker was
the second settler in New Portland, the
first being the Hutchins family. In MI
Parker's home were held all town, re-
ligious and other meetings in that place
for many years: in fact he was always
prominent man in the affairs of New
Portland In passing it is interesting to
record the fact that Capt. Parker built
the first framed house, owned the trst
pillow, the first harrow, and the first set
of ioiner's tools in that town, being also
the first owner of the brick kiln located
there, as we'll as the first bridegroom.
Josiah Parker, Jr. the son of Capt.
Parker, and the father of Joseph Newell
Parker, the subject of this sketch,
whose name was Josiah Parker, Jr.,
married Mary Ann Newell on March 9Th,
1928 To them seven children were born,
all of whom have passed on save one
brother, Josiah Parker, who lives in
kirkland. III.
Joseph Newell Parker has been re-
markable man and has had an unusually
rich and wide experience. Going back
TO his boyhood we find him at about the
age of Is serving as a cook for logging
camp here in this State. His experience
with the outside world really commences
here, ard it is reasonably sure that it
was a very hard and trying one for so
young boy.
At about Il years Of age he urged his
father to build him a saw mill where he
got some experience if nothing more.
Then at the age of IS, and this was IN
1851 soon after the discovery of gold In
California, Mr.. Parker convinced his
father that he should make trip to the
Pacific Coast; there were great pros
poets of obtaining large wealth which
would put the family in very comfortable
for the rest of their lives.
Money was scarce but his father was
confident that his son had a future, 50
he raised about $500 by mortgaging his
farm in order to finance the trip. How
many fathers would do that today for
their sons?
A sailing vessel left New York on July
Goth, 1851 bound fer the Isthmus of
Panama Ii carried Mr.. Parker together
with seven other young men from the
same section. all bound for the Land of
Gold" Storms were encountered, a part
of the ships mast was destroyed, besides
other dangerous and discouraging events
were crowded into that trip. At last
they anchored at the lsthmus which was
crossed in those days under grave diff
culties and beset with dangers in the
form of beasts, reptiles, insects and
fever A part of the way was covered by
boats while the rest was made either by
foot or by mule. AT the other side In
the Pacific lay a vessel waiting to take
them to California. Mr.. Parker was al
ways much interested in telling of this
trip, and how on this last part of the
the ship was nearly wrecked
and the food gone so that all hands had
10 eat tobacco in order to keep alive. |
Evidently tobacco has some virtue even
f 1t is called a poisonous weed.
Mining in those days was not easy |
The pick ak and shovel were the princi |
,al implements. This labor was only fol- |
owed by Mr.. Parker short time when, I
n company with Edwin Hill, he started
store for the sale of groceries, clothing
Az