Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-20
JAMES PARMELEE
DIES AT HOME HERE
Nationally Known Financier
and Art Patron to Be Buried
In Washington Cathedral.

James Parmelee, 76. of national repu-
tation in the realm of business, and as
a connoisseur and patron Of art died
at $50 o'clock Sunday morning at his
extensive estate: the Causeway on
Klingle road. Illness resulting from
fall a year ago is said to have been the
cause of his death.
Mr.. Parmelee's interest in and knowl-
edge of art led to his election in 1916
as a trustee of the Corcoran Gallery
of Art. Three months after his cleo
ton he was appointed to the Com
nittee on Works Of Art and later as Its
chairman. In 1927 he was elected
first vice president of the institution,
and was active in all three of11ces up
to the time of his injury.
Associate Of Herrick.
He was a member of the advisory
council of the Cleveland Museum OF
Art, a member of the National Gal
lery of Art Commission, and OF the
Executive Committee thereof. He was
also chairman of the Prints Commit
tee C.. the commission.
Prominent in the commercial world
and actively associated with several
large corporations, Mr.. Parmelee was a
lifelong friend and associate OF the late
Ambassador Myron T. Herrick.
His 24-acre estate Is one OF the snow
places Of residential Washington.
Mr.. Parmelee was born In Youngs-
town. Ohio. in 1855, the son OF Mar
0aret Raven and william S. Parnelee,
and lived there until 1876, when MS
family moved to Cleveland after ne mao
been graduated from Cornell Un1ver,
sitv. After finishing college ne sCuoleo
law and was admitted to the bar. HOW
ever. he never took up active pracIHe'
Headed Cleveland Exchange.
He was married in Cleveland, and 1t
mas while living there that Mr. Parme-
lee became associated with the late
Ambassador Herrick, about 1850. IN
number of business ventures, anons
them the Cleveland Electric uiunnlaC-
ing Co., the National CARBON - Sra0
Quaker Oats Co. and the Manohlns
Valley Railway 81 Light Co. He was
either an officer, or director, or ooIn,
An All of these corporations. Wnen tne
cleveland stock Exchange was opened,
An 1000. Mr. Parmeiee was elected nIsI
president, and retained the posi'ioh
washington attracted him IS home
because of the fact that his Wl1e was
from this city. She was the grano-
daughter of Commodore MattneW ron-
tai1e Maury. the famous photographer.
since coming to Washington Nj:
parmelee had become closely associated
,,';th ACTIVITIES in connection with the
Washington Cathedral, and as mem-
her of the Chapter and Building COM
,,.t+tse rave to the cathedral one OF the
foIIr great piers which will support ire
central or "Gloria in Excelsis" tower OF
that Gothic building when completed.
Carnegie Institution Trustee.
AR Parmelee also was q trustee OF the
e,arneeie Institution Of washington ana
a member of the Metropolitan Cup IN
washington, the Union ana An4An 10
clubs and Chamber OF commerce Oh
Cleveland and the Union Clun OF re" ~
York While a resident OF Gie s. T,1;.c .e
served as a vestryman OF TRINITY EplSc"-
pa a. the time of his death he was
A,ractoY and member OF the execnuVe
rornnittee Of the Union Carpioe q
Carbon Corporation and . trustee VI
the Society for Savings, Cleveland;
The beauty Of the exterior Oh ms =
estate, which make It q snow pl1Se, -
matched by the interior OF ms nofne;
where many valuable paintings ana
etchinRs. the result Of his years OF COL
lecting, are hung.
Bishop Expresses Regret.
i onsc;als Of the Washington Cathe-
drsI Expressed regret at the deatn OF
Mr. Parmelee. Right Rev. James H.
Freen,an. Bishop OF washington, said;
"My parmelee was q conspicuous anu
outstanding member Of the CatneoraI
sChanter. Through long years ne mas
ceTved both on the chapter ana inc
building and other important catneoiai
committees with the utmost noS nv,
and devotion. His knowledge aho Iove
of art and architecture mace ms cU ur
sci most valuable, especlahy aIons
fheSe lines. He was the poSsesSor OF
rare objects of art himself, and was iirst
vice president Of the Corcoran Gallery
of Art at the time Of his deatn.
"Mr. Parmalee was modest, sell
edacinR. and while his name mas not
figured frequently in the public prints,
he occupied position OF rare worth III
the commercial world. -,
He was courtly in manner, loyal
citizen and a contributor TO the wealth
and veal OF any community IN when
he lived, and a Christian gentleman
Burial to Be in Cathedral.
Funeral services will be held at
O'Clock tomorrow afternoon at the Ma
tional Cathedral, where Mr.. Parmelee
will be buried with some OF the Ma
tons great Bishop Freeman Will con-
duct the rites.
The constant constructive interest
Mr.. Parmelee evidenced in the AFFAIRS
Of the Corcoran Gallery will be deeply
missed said c. Powell Minnigerooe,
director of that institution, today. AT
all times and for many years, as trustee,
officer and as head of the gallerys COM
nnittee on works Of art, he rendered in
valuable services. genuine lover OF
art, and one whose knowledge thereon
equaled his interest therein, his
guidance in gallery matters has been
OF utmost assistance Not only did
peculiar qualifications make his services
of exceeding value, but hH sympathetic
personality endeared him TO his col
leagues on the board Of trustees and TO
all oflcials and employees"
Mr.. Parmelee is survived by brother,
Robert M. Parmelee of Bennington. VT,
and a sister. Mrs. Helen Parmelee Shoe
maker Of Mount Sinai, N. Y.
nj