River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1925-12-31

Hon. Charles D. Parker, River
Falls grand old man, is dead. He
was called last Sunday, Dec. 81,
1925, on his ninety-eighth birthday.
News of his death was heralded in
feature front page articles in the
metropolitan press all over the ma
ton.
Mrs Parker, with whom he had
just celebrated their seventy-second
wedding anniversary, survives him,
She is in her ninty-sixth year.
Funeral services were held at the
Congregational church Tuesday af-
ternoon. with Masonic ceremonies at
the grave in Greenwood cemetery.
The following historical sketch of
Mir. Parker's life was prepared at the
time of his SEVENTEEN wedding ami
versary, and given national publicity
at that time:
Mr.. Parker moved to Wisconsin 70
years ago, when his father, Luther
Parker, first and only president of
the forgotten Indian Stream Repub-
lie. became the first white settler at
Milwaukee. Ten years later,
Charles himself continued westward,
and settled on a claim in the ST.
Croix valley. There, with his young
bride, he made his home, and there he
and bis wife had lived ever since.
In those 81 years, Charles d. Park
en- became factor in Wisconsin
politics and civic movements. In
1872, he was lieutenant governor Of
the state, and served for several
months as acting executive of Wis
consin.
Refused to Run For Governor
Then, for II years, he was a mem
Der of the state board of control.
Still later, he served as a regent of
the University of Wisconsin. He re-
fused to run for governor, and re-
tired several years ago to his River
Falls home.
Last month, Mr.. and Mrs. Parker
celebrated their seventy second we'd
ding anniversary with a family re-
union. Tales Of old days in New
Hampshire and Wisconsin were told
and retold at the gathering. Mr..
Parker announced that he was "in
the best of health
T. l.. Hacker, professor of nutri-
ton at the Agricultural college of the
University of Minnesota, at one
time served as a clerk under Mr..
Parker, while he was on the state
board of control. Scion Buck, of the
Minnesota State Historical Society,
studied at one time under nephew
of Mr.. Parker at the University Of
Wisconsin, and was well acquainted
with the activities of Mr.. Parker's
father in the Lost Republic.
"His father, Luther Parker, who
was president Of that republic, was
the first settler at Milwaukee and,
like his father, Charles moved west
ward as soon as he was old enough"
It was Charles D. Parker who was
largely influential in having residents
of the Indian Stream Republic petit
ton for entrance to the United
States, when, in 1912, a prolonged
boundary dispute between England
and the United States finally was set
tied. Luther Parker, his father, the
first president of the republic, and
the last, finally persuaded the citizens
to enter the state of New Hampshire,
in the face Of strong opposition on
the part Of Canadian factions.
Clashed With Canada
The story Of Indian Stream Repub-
lie or "the lost republic" is almost
forgotten by historians, but has been
kept alive in the family of Charles
d. Parker.
Born in 1927, Mr.. Parker grew up
in the Indian Stream country of New
Hampshire, and as youth witnessed
the establishment there of the In
dian Stream Republic. At that time.
when the northern boundary of the
United States was hazy, and only
partially defined, Canada and the In