John Bell PARKE (1809-1903)

<u><b>THE GANANOQUE REPORTER</u></b>

- AUG. 15, 1903

 

 

The Late Mr. J. B. Parke

Mr. John Bell Parke who died here 2 weeks ago, was born in the county of Leitrim, Ireland May 26, 1809. He as the only son of Mr. Jason Parke, Attorney at Law, Castle Carr, Leitrim County. Mr. Parke received a fair education at common and high schools and on the death of this father which occurred when he was a young boy, he was employed by his uncle in Dublin, a real estate agent and accountant. His share of his father's estate was invested in an annuity for his benefit after he became of age, and brought him upwards of $800 a year. He became proficient in details of his uncle's business and for some years was engaged in valuing household property and real estate making inventories of chattels sold or leased and transfers by himself personally.

On Oct. 12, 1837 he was married to Mary Ann Bell eldest daughter of John and Isabell Bell of Aughnacloy, Tyrone County Ireland. Twelve years later (11 Jun 1849) he sold out part of annuity and came with his family to Canada, locating at Kingston. There his active manner and good business qualities soon obtained employment for him. His first engaged with a wholesale house, and travelled the country from Port Hope to Montreal and back to Ottawa, selling goods and purchasing farm produce, furs, potash and other goods for export. He was one of the first of the class now known as commercial travellers or drummers and was very successful making a lot of money for his employers. But he was not content as after the novelty was off he disliked being away from home so much and always on the go. So he disposed of the balance of his annuity and with a partner embarked in business for himself. He has frequently told us the particulars of that venture, but we do not remember them sufficiently to relate them correctly. But it was a failure and he lost most of his money. Then he purchased some land in the township of Storrington and with the help of his sons engaged in farming. In 1872 he sold out then moved to Pittsburgh township, renting a farm at the Leeds town line, previously owned by Simeon Butler.

Later he gave that up and rented a farm close to the east limit of Gananoque and went into the milk business, supplying customers of Gananoque. By that time he was getting to be an old man and his sons were striking out for themselves. So about 20 years ago he gave up the farm and he and Mrs. Parke moved into Town and kept a small grocery store in the building now used as a Chinese laundry. Mrs. Parke died about 7 years ago, and since that time Mr. Parke made his home with his son A. N. Parke, here. He was an Orangeman having joined the Order of Ireland, a member of the Church of England, in politics a conservative. His family consisted of nine sons and three daughters. Two sons and two daughters are deceased. One son Edward met a tragic death when the family was living on the butler farm. He took a shotgun one rainy afternoon and went down to the St. Lawrence River shore looking for ducks. Not finding any he came back through the fields to the house, and while passing through the orchard he reached up with the gun to knock down an apple, holding the gun by the muzzle, stock upwards. The trigger caught in a limb and the gun was charged, the shot taking effect in his right side. He died a few days afterwards. Mrs. Kennedy, of Toronto is the only surviving daughter. The sons are Jason, farmer, living here; John B, farmer, now living near Philadelphia, N. Y.; Joseph an M. D. of Philadelphia Pa, who has acquired considerable fame as a poet and writer on technical subjects, and who served some time as surgeon with the U. S. troops in the Philippines; George, hotel manager, New York; W.H. of New York; Walter of Philadelphia, Pa. and Alfred N. traveller for W. J. Gibson, Gananoque.

Mr. Parke was a voluminous reader of current literature. Nothing in the public prints escaped him. And having a most retentive memory and great command of language he was able to talk fluently and intelligently on almost any subject.

Argument was a pastime for him, and for the sake of argument he would adopt any side of the question and gradually overcame his opponents. He gave much thought to political, religious and social subjects and was an authority on public movements and events along these lines. He was of a cheerful disposition, too, and loved a joke, which rendered him a pleasant companion. For 20 years before his death, he would sit for hours every day reading the papers even the finest print without the aid of glasses. His end was a natural death, result of old age and natural decay. Up to last fall he was out nearly every day, regardless of the weather, making his visits to the Post Office and other places of resort. Then his feet and legs failed him, and he was confined to his room, but with his metal faculties still active. He had passed his 96th year before much change in that regard was observed. Then he gradually failed till the end came July 23