Person:Robert Parker (64)

Maj. Robert H. Parker Dead.
Major Robert H. Parker died this morning at 5:30 at his residence in this city. His death was not unexpected, as he had been confined to his bed for the past several weeks. Last week he appeared to be improving, and his family and his friends entertained a hope that he would get well, but he grew worse last Saturday and gradually sank from that hour. He was surrounded by his faithful and devoted wife and daughters, save Mrs. Dr. Fields, who had not arrived but was on the way.

Maj. Parker was born at Versailles, Ky., Sept. 16, 1828, and would have been 68 years old tomorrow.

His father was Dr. John T. Parker, and eminent physician of Lexington, Ky. and the family was related to some of the best and most prominent people of Kentucky and Missouri, the Major being first cousin of Mary Todd Lincoln, wife of the president.

He was married in 1851 to Miss Sallie Clark, who survives him.

In 1860 he moved to Texas and settled in Collin county. When the war broke out he entered the Confederate service. After the war for some time he engaged in stock shipping from Shreveport to New Orleans.

In 1882 he came to Abilene and engaged in the lumber business, and continued in that business until two or three years ago.

At the time of his death all of his children were with him save Mrs. Dr. Fields and his son, John T. They are Mrs. Hallie Adams, Mrs. Bettie Kelley, Mrs. Sallie Willis, Mrs. Lavinia McDaniel, Misses Roberta and Neva, and Mrs. Nellie Davis.

Maj. Parker was a man of strong convictions; of indomitable energy, brave and kind, doing many deeds of charity, of which the world knew nothing. He was a Presbyterian, and will be buried from that church tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock. To the bereaved family in this hour of great affliction the Reporter extends sincere sympathy.

Intelligence has been received of the death, September 15, of Col. Robert H. Parker at his home in Abilene, Tex. Col. Parker was born in Shelby county, in this state, being the son of Dr. John Todd Parker and Jane Logan Allen Parker. His grandfather, Maj. Robert Parker, was a major in the Virginian line during the revolution, and after the war moved to Kentucky, settling in Lexington, where he built the first brick house erected in that city. Although long a resident in Texas, Col. Parker took a lively interest in Kentucky and her citizens. The Crittendens, Logans, Murrays, Todds, Allens and others of the historic families of Kentucky were his kindred. Gov. Crittenden, of Missouri, Gov. Eli H. Murray and Mrs. Abraham Lincoln were cousins of Col. Parker. He was widely known in this state and Texas for his warm-hearted generosity and hospitality. His large size made him a conspicuous figure in any crowd, he being about six feet and a half in height and weighing about 361 pounds. Notwithstanding his size he was a very active man. Many years ago Col. Parker married Miss Sallie Clarke, daughter of Joseph Clarke, of Franklin county, Ky., who, with a large family of grown children, survives him.