HomeMy WebLinkAbout462"Article taken from the Pickering News, February 4, 1910.
Geo. Parker, J. P. Pauses Away.
The death is announced this week of Mr. George Parker, of Dunbarton,
one of the best known and most highly esteemed residents of the Township of
Pickering. Until a few weeks ago he was apparently a strong man, and good for
many years to come, but after a short illness from typhoid pneumonia he passed
away at his residence in the village of Dunbarton on Thursday last in his 58th year.
Mr. Parker was a life-long resident of the township. His father. John Parker,
was an Ayrshire farmer who came to Canada in the forties of the last century,
settling finally at Dunbarton, where he carried on successfull a business as general
merchant, postmaster and farmer, also serving as township councilor and Justice of
the Peace. Mr. George Parker succeeded his father an merchant, post-master and
farmer, and also inherited, a taste for public service. In 1885 he was elected
deputy-reeve and served until 1890. In 1891 and 1892 he was reeve and after his
retirement served as township treasurer till the time of his death. As reeve of the
township be became a member of the County Council and was a few years ago
appointed County Valuator. He was also for a time a member of the County
Educational Board.
In politics he was an active and enthusiastic Liberal. On several occasions his name
was considered by the Convention as a candidate for Provincial or Dominion honors.
At the last nomination for the House of Commons in West Ontario he failed by only
one of securing the Liberal nomination. He persisted that he would not canvass for the
position but would do what his friends desired. Although a strong Liberal he never
allowed his political views to interfere with his friendships or duty.
As a Justice of the Peace he had a more varied experience than often falls to the lot of
those who are honored with the title. This was recognized at the late revision of the
Commission of the Peace and his services were retained by the present government.
In religion he was a Presbyterian, and the Dunbarton congregation, of which he was a
member, will lose an active supporter, a faithful leader of the choir, Sabbath school
teacher and chairman of the board of management.
He was a member of the Chosen Friends, and also of Doric Lodge. A. F. & A.M.,
Pickering, who conducted his funeral on Sunday afternoon, at Erskine cemetery,
the service at the church being conducted by the pastor, Rev. A. L. Macfadyen.
His funeral was one of the largest ever held in the township of Pickering.
Sir. Parker leaves a widow, four sons and three daughters to mourn his loss.
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