Welcome Otis Parker
Norwalk Daily Reflector, 7 Dec 1899, p3 c6.
The White Angel Touches a Norwalk Household Twice in One Evening.
The angel of death came twice to a Norwalk home Wednesday evening and bore away two beings greatly beloved. First was called a gray haired old father full of years and honor, whose race had been well run; and next a young wife who had scarcely passed the threshold of womanhood and to bless whom had just came a young son. Grandfather and granddaughter were taken together to that great unknown, where all is peace and happiness and where pain and sorrow do not dwell.
At 5:30 o'clock Hon. Welcome O. Parker, who has made his home for several months past with his son R. T. Parker on Corwin street, in this city, was suddenly stricken with apoplexy and quietly passed away.
At 10 o'clock the same evening, Mary Parker Williams, wife of Theodore Williams Jr., and daughter of Mr. and Mrs R. T. Parker also passed away, at her parent's home and almost hand in hand with her aged grandfather she crossed the river to join that innumerable throng and to meet and be with the loved ones gone before.
Welcome O. Parker was born at Burlington, Vermont, June 12, 1821, and came to Ohio at an early age. He first resided at Vermilion. Later he had a dry goods store at Sandusky, whence he came to Norwalk in 1850 to engage in the same business. While a resident of this city he was elected to the Ohio state senate and served his constituents with ability.
Later he moved to Toledo, where he resided until the death of his second wife, a few months ago, when he returned to Norwalk.
He leaves two children, Mrs. J. S. Rodgers, of Toledo, and R. T. Parker, of Norwalk, at whose home he died.
Mr. Parker was a man of many virtues and his uprightness of character, his kindness of heart and his fidelity to his friends were proverbial. He was greatly respected by everyone and his death will be universally regretted.
His remains have been taken to the residence of B. C. Taber where the funeral will be held at a time yet to be determined.
