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NEWSPAPER: Unknown - possibly from Hicksville, OH

DATE OF NEWSPAPER: Unknown - about Aug./Sept. 1891

SOURCE: Book - Obituaries of N. W. Ohio

PARKER - Esther Parker was born at Humphreyville, Conn., July 8th, 1822, and died near Manhattan, Reily county, Kansas, Sunday morning, August 23, 1891, aged 69 years, l month and 15 days.

She was the oldest daughter of a family of six children of Ransom and Sarah Osborn, who moved to Hicksville township [OH] in the year 1836, being among the very first settlers of the township. She was married to Allen Parker, November 14, 1839, and of this marriage eight children were born, two daughters and six sons, of whom the two daughters, Mrs. J. M. Ainsworth of this place, and Mrs. Ogden of Brocton, N. Y., and four sons survive her.

Mr. Parker died July ll, 1860, and after his death Mrs. Parker resided here until about six years ago [about 1885] when she went to Kansas, at the place where she died. The remains of deceased were brought to Hicksville last Tuesday, and on Wednesday at 10 o'clock a.m. impressive funeral services were held from the residence of J. M. Ainsworth [her daughter's home], conducted by Rev. L. O. Cook, and interment made in the Hicksville cemetery [Aug. 26, 1891]. Mrs. Parker, as a member of the family of Ransom Osborn, was one of the pioneer settlers of Hicksville township and was the first of the hardy pioneers to enter the marriage relation, and for nearly a half century, she made this, the home of her youth, her abiding place; only going to Kansas a few years since to be near a couple of her sons who had gone to the West as she did in her youth.

Mrs. Parker, like all the pioneer women of the township, was an intelligent, hard-working, chirstian lady. The mother of a large family, deprived of the counsel and advice of a father at a tender age, by her amiable and motherly characteristics and through many perplexities, she reared it to manhood and womanhood with all the advantages of a growing civilization and the example of a mother with christian fortitued and devotion. It was very fitting that at the funeral exercises yesterday, the Hon. A. P. Edgerton, who knew her so well and who could best speak of her history and character, should have been called upon to offer a tribute to her memory and her history and her characteristics were best told by him.

MR. EDGERTON'S TRIBUTE

Remarks of A. P. Edgerton at the funeral service of Mrs. Esther Parker at Hicksvillie, Ohio, August 26, 1891.
I have a few words to say of her who is now dead, and my friend of more that half a century. It is proper and it is due from me that I should pay a tribute to one who has ever been to me a friend and to this community an encouraging and sustaining part of efforts for success and prosperity. There is no bloom of youth, as there once was, upon her cheek, yet it tells of something not earthly - of the strong beauties of a pure and useful life that cannot be forgotten. More than half a century ago I left the city of New York to learn if here in the then wilderness some success in life could be secured as the reward of honest effort. I found here on my arrival, April 17, 1837, through the various ways of coming, three log cabins; one a double log cabin where is now the crossing of Main and High street, occupied by the family of Ransom Osborn; one member of which was a bright young girl, Esther Osborn, then 15 years old, admired and respected by all who knew her, a dutiful and affectionate daughter. All of the family were equally respected.

In the old cabin, life was real in all its kindnesses, earnest in all its labors, faithful in all its duties, and thoughtful in all its hopes. The life of that young girl in that cabin home was in all things a cheering usefulness, and her friendly relations made a sun-shine around all. On the 14th of November, 1839, that young girl was married to Allen Parker, the union happy in all its relations and continued to 1860, when Mr. Parker died - their's being the first wedding in Hicksville township, then unorganized, and having no legal designation except township four, north range one east, Williams county, Ohio. I was the groomsman at that wedding, and in all the years since that time our friendship has continued undiminished until ended by death. As memory brings to me that old-time logcabin's doors, I am made to know and to feel that there is love to give for those that are no more, and that it is good and our duty to give to those that live a kind and generous part.

Mrs. Parker lived in this county when families were compelled to toil for the things[?] which nature bestowed. In all things she did her part, as daughter, wife and mother and friend. She lived here till the various bounties of nature enriched[?] the blessings of life, through the toils of the settlers. Her force of character and her example and energy would give courage and health to the sick, and her kindness bread to the needy. By her work she made Time her friend, and Time is the world's friend when wisely used. She thus wisely[?] used to teach that the condition of all might be made better. Eternity records all of our deeds of kindness and mercy here done to others, and as christianity[?] hopes, teaches and believes that death is but an event in this life, and the other life will find the reward and a result hereafter. Christ did his work here and he will judge of ours there. All judgements here are mortal, there immortal. Mrs. Parker lived for the immortal judgment on her life here, without fear, and with a christian hope and faith, soothed and sustained by an unfaltering trust, she has gone to endless rest.

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NOTES BY TRANSCRIBER: Transcribed by Gloria Odom 1992; brackets [ ] inserted by transcriber.