John Parker was born in Stillwater in 1859. He was first engaged in logging and ditch contracting work throughout Northern Minnesota. He moved to Solway where he was superintendent of the Clearwater Logging company in 1900. In 1906 the family moved to Bemidji where he was a resident, actively engaged in civic work, being twice mayor, once in 1910 and re-elected for a second one year term in 1911. He was elected by the surprisingly large majority of 165 votes. He was also city treasurer for his fifth one-year term at the time of his death in 1936.
The Bemidji Pioneer featured this tale about his fishing adventure on the front page in June 25, 1907.
JOHN G. PARKER IS A FISHERMAN OF NOTE
Went Fishing, May 1st, on Clearwater River, Says E. H. Reff. Had Delightful Experience.
John C. Parker, vice president of the Donald Land & Lumber company, is not much of a fisherman, but we have it from the best authority that he makes it a practice to go fishing on the first day of May in each year (the opening of the hook and line season), whether that day be hot, a cold day, or a Sunday.
Ever since the latter part of last winter Mr. Parker has been on the Clearwater river, over in Itasca county, and at Plummer, over on the Soo, where Charlie Latta runs a newspaper.
We haven’t heard much concerning what J. C. has been doing over there, but E. H. Reff of Bagley, clerk of court of Clearwater county, says of J. C. and his fishing.
“The first day of last May, Parker, equipped with provisions and a fur coat, sallied forth to the banks of the Clearwater river, secured a flat boat and put out upon the turbulent waters. Placing his coat on the back seat, he immediately commenced operations, casting his spoon this way and that as the boat drifted with the current down the stream. Colonel Parker is not much of a fisherman, from a scientific stand point, but he can cast a spoon fairly well, and he knows how to place an angleworm on a bullhead hook, right side up. The boat was a trifle rickety, which made it difficult for its occupant to maintain his equilibrium, and once or twice he in consequence sat down unexpectedly. It was not, however, until he had hooked a monster of the deep that he sat down on the outside instead of the inside of the boat, and it happened this way His line snapped in two.”
“Parker plunged about in the stream in an endeavor to catch the boat, but the little craft dodged him and kept on its course towards the deep blue sea. Being a poor swimmer, Col. Parker could not reach the bank and had just commenced to say his prayers when a friendly log came bobbing past. He grasped the log and by a mighty effort succeeded in getting astride, and as together they went sailing forth he finished offering up his prayers. Down stream they went at a rapid pace until they struck an eddy, where the log commenced a series of gyrations, which would have made a whirling dervish turn pea green with envy. Around and around went the river horse, increasing the speed until Col. Parker became as dizzy as a fellow who had been drinking ‘boot-leg.’ He managed, however, to retain his seat until assistance came, and at that time he had been on the merry-go-round two hours and twenty minutes.”
”Two farmers on the hilltop who were working in the fields observed a peculiar object spinning in the water and hurried to the river bank. Grasping the situation, they secured a long pole and thrust it out to the dilapidated fisherman and he was speedily pulled ashore. So weak was he from the immersion that his legs did not sufficiently limber up to enable him to walk for nearly an hour after his rescue.”
“Should any one find a flatboat containing a fur coat, between here and the Gulf of Mexico they will please express the coat to Col. J. C. Parker, Bemidji, and retain the boat as a reward for their honesty.” (June 1910)
Late on Friday afternoon, August 26, 1910, Mayor Parker barely escaped being killed at his logging camp near Kelliher when a crazed lumberjack attacked a fellow lumberjack while Mayor Parker was standing less than 20 feet away. (Bemidji Pioneer, Aug 27, 1910)
Early today an automobile party composed of Mayor Parker and wife and two daughters with Miss Lucy Gilder of St. Paul and Miss Alice Hunter of Grand Forks as their guests, T. J. .Burke, and daughter and two brothers and Dr. Gilmore and wife, left for Itasca Park. Despite the rain the day was spent in merrymaking. (Aug 27, 1910)
John C. Parker Co. was incorporated on Jan 25, 1915 for the purpose of doing retail business in Bemidji. The three were J. C. Parker, S. F. Parker, and E. F. Parker.
Parker was the mayor at the time of a festival in 1911 which included a “calithumpian” parade for the 4th of July, motor boat races, sack races, greased pig races, etc.
He died at his home at 207 Seventh Street on Oct 13, 1936 following an extended illness of many years. He was survived by his widow, formerly Miss Sylvia Perro, two daughters, Mrs. Arthur J. Voshage of Minneapolis and Miss Ella Parker of the Parker Book and Stationery store in Bemidji.
He was past exalted ruler, secretary and trustee for the Bemidji Lodge no. 1052 B.P.O.E. for a number of years. The Bemidji Elks attended his funeral in a body at Stillwater. Burial took place at Stillwater.
Mrs. Sylvania Parker, a resident of Bemidji since 1906 passed away at the Bemidji Lutheran Hospital where she had been confined for several weeks. Mrs. Parker came here in 1906 with her husband. She died March 15, 1944.
Ella Frances Parker was born in Stillwater of John and Sylvia Parker. She taught in city schools at Bemidji from 1911-1918. She held the position of assistant cashier at Security Bank from 1918-1925; and assistant Beltrami County Superintendent from 1925-1931. From 1931, she was treasurer & general manager of books and stationery store. During World War I, she was active in the American Red Cross. She was a collector of old masters and had over 200 paintings in her collection. She lived at 207 Seventh Street until about 1945. She then moved to 421 Bemidji Avenue.