It was a saddened community on Sunday morning when word was passed around that Sam Parker had died about five o'clock that morning. He would have been 85 years of age next month.

He was in his usual good health Saturday and worked at the bank all day, going to his home at supper time and apparently suffered a stroke soon after arriving there. He was alone at the time, but members of his family arrived a few minutes later and found him lying on the floor. However, he regained consciousness and was able to talk until about midnight.

He has been a resident of this community since the late 80's and has been connected with the Farnam Bank since he and others started it in July 1904.

Funeral services were being held at 2:30 pm Wedneday afternoon at the school auditorium with Rev. Johnson of Central City and Rev. Fowkes of McCook officiating.

OBITUARY

Samuel F. Parker was born in Pittsburg, Allegenny County, Pennsylvania, March 5, 1863. He was the son of Samuel and Sarah (Ridge) Parker, the second of five children. Three brothers, John, Gordon, and William have preceded him in death. One sister, Mrs. Sara Fownes, still lives in Pittsburg. He received his education in Pittsburg, after which he held various office jobs in the steel mills there. He also made several trips as an employee to the river boats which plied up and down the Mississippi. In 1884, he came west to Nebraska and homesteaded on the place just north of the present site of Farnam. In 1893, he was united in marriage to Minnie Tufts, daughter of M.J. and Jeannette Tufts. To their union were born four daughters, Jeannette, Margarette, Louise, and a baby girl who died in infancy.

During the lean years of the early settlement of this territory Sam ran the local paper, farmed and later engaged in the grain business. In 1904, he with his father-in-law, M.J. Tufts, G. D. Faulkes, and David Hanna chartered the Farnam Bank of Farnam, an institution which he has ably headed from that date till the day of his death.

Sam has a host of friends in the community and over the state. It can truthfully be said that he has played a major part in the development of this town and community.

His immediate family and descendants are his wife, Mrs. Minnie Parker, three daughters, Mrs. C. Burr Parker, Mrs. John A. Rowland, both of Farnam and Mrs. Wehrs C. Lindvall of North Platte, nine grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.

The passing of Sam Parker leaves a place in the lives those who knew him that cannot be filled.

Funeral services were held last Wednesday afternoon in the school auditorium, to have have more room, with Rev. R.A. Johnson and Rev. Robert Fowkes officiating. Interment was in the Farnam Cemetery.

The Farnam Press. Farnam, Dawson County, Nebraska. Thursday, March 4, 1948.