Had Been Identified With Farnam Business And Community For A Half Century

William Gamble Parker was born in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, August 26, 1866, and died March 15, 1940, aged 73 years, 6 months and 19 days. His illness started six years ago, and for the past year he was confined to the house.

His first employment was with the wholesale dry goods house of Joseph Horne & Co., of Pittsburgh, Pa.

In 1887 he came to Nebraska and joined his brother on a homestead north of Farnam. He was employed on the John Watt horse ranch, north of Moorefield, from 1888 until 1890. He then managed the Farnam paper for a short time, and entered the employ of Buss & Divoll in a general store. He remained with them until the Best Place Mercantile Company was formed, when he purchased an interest in that company and remained with them until the store and contents were destroyed by fire in 1913, and the Company was dissolved.

He then started a grocery and dry goods business for himself and continued in that store until his sickness compelled him to retire in 1939.

He was married to Cora Caley on September 1, 1898, to whom was born two sons: Merton C. of Farnam and W. Ralph of Orafino. The wife and both sons survive him. He also leaves a brother and sister, S. F. Parker of Farnam and Mrs. W. C. Fownes Jr. of Pittsburg, Pa., and one grandson, William Grandon Parker.

He was a loving and kind husband and father. He was an enterprising citizen, always a free giver for anyone in need or for any cause that would advance the well being of the community. He has a host of friends in this vicinity where he spent his entire business life, and will be sadly missed by all.

Funeral services were held at the home Sunday afternoon, conducted by Rev. R. A. Johnson of Arapahoe. Interment was made in the Farnam cemetery.

The Gothenburg Times/The Farnam Echo Thursday, 21 March 1940