Month: August 2018

Homes With Loved Ones

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The 1920 Census shows Rebecca works as a cigar maker and daughter Mildred (Myrtle) works as an assistant for a dentist.  The census also shows that the family rented a home at 542 Dauphin.  By February 1921, they became homeowners at 37 Washington.  According to Zillow.com, the home currently at 37 Washington was built in 1885.  Here’s a picture of the home from zillow.com.

37 washington lancaster pa

On January 1, 1945, Samuel’s wife Rebecca died at 64 years old.  This was undoubtedly a difficult time for him as well as his family.  He and Rebecca had been living at their home at 37 Washington.  By the time the 1946 city directory was published, Samuel had moved to 462 S Ann to live with his daughter, Pearl, and her family.  He continued to work as a janitor at Franklin and Mary College.  He also continued to live with his daughter, including later moving to a new home at 604 W Lemon, until he died on May 17, 1949.

He and Rebecca are buried at Mellingers Mennonite Cemetery.

samuel and rebecca headstone

Cork Cutter, Night Watchman, & Janitor

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Over the years, Samuel and Rebecca lived in various houses as they raised their children, living for a time near Samuel E.’s brother, Luther, and his father, Samuel M.  Samuel E., like his brother Luther, worked in a cork factory as a cork cutter.  Here’s a photo of some cork cutters at work at Armstrong Cork Company.

Cork_cutting_at_Armstrong_Cork_Company

Pittsburgh 1909. Photo in public domain.

Samuel appears to have worked as a cork cutter for some time.  In both the 1900 and the 1910 censuses he is listed as a cork cutter.  For some reason he changed jobs.  Maybe he got tired of cutting cork.  Or maybe he was just looking for something that could provide a better living for his family.  At some point between 1913 and 1916, Samuel E. became a night watchman at Donovan Co., a department store.  Here’s a 1918  newspaper ad for Donovan’s:

There’s also a photo of Donovan’s and other department stores at the time here.

Between 1929 and 1930, Samuel changed jobs again.  Maybe being a night watchman was catching up to him.  It’s not easy to stay up at night.  Teenagers seem to be able to do it, but it’s not so easy as you get older!  Samuel would have been about 55 years old.  He became a janitor for Franklin and Mary College.

Samuel Janitor

Photo from ancestry.com and originally shared by srohrer63

 

 

 

 

Whooping Cough Claims A Child

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Rebecca and Jack

Jack Samuel Parmer with his mother Rebecca Ruth. Photo courtesy of Robert E. Parmer Jr.

 

Tragedy hit in 1921 when son Jack Samuel died of whooping cough at age 1 yr 7 months 22 days.  Whooping cough has been around at least since the middle ages.  Vaccines were not developed until the 1930-1940s, so in 1921, vaccines were not available.  Whooping Cough outbreaks were not uncommon and the vaccine,  understandably, was welcomed.  What sorrow must have ensued for the whole family.  He is buried in Mellinger Mennonite Cemetery.

 

Jack S Parmer headstone

Memorial for Jack– Born 30 June 1919,   Died 22 Feb 1921

 

 

 

 

Marriage And Family

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On October 10, 1897, Samuel E. and Rebecca Ruth were married.

Rebecca Ruth
Rebecca Ruth, date unknown.

Samuel had a sixth grade education and Rebecca had a fifth grade education.  We know this thanks to the 1940 Census.  I just love the census records!  Although their questions were determined for other purposes, they sure do help us get to know a little about the lives of our forefathers.

Samuel and Rebecca had four children–Robert Elwood, Mildred (Myrtle) R., Pearl I., and Jack.  There’s a 19 year gap between Robert and Jack.  Jack was born 11 years after Pearl.

 

samuel E and Robert Elwood

Samuel E. Parmer and son Robert Elwood Parmer

Samuel, Son of Samuel

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Samuel E. Parmer was born August 22, 1874.  That’s what his death certificate says, as well as his headstone.  Some records indicate he may have been born in 1875.  It’s so hard to pinpoint birthdays for that time period!  I’m going with 1874.  His marriage certificate says he was born in Mount Sidney, East Lampeter.

Samuel E. is the fifth child of Samuel M. and Hetty Ann.  His brother John Jacob was 7 years old while his sister Martha was just 10 months old.  William would have been almost 5 and Margie almost 3 years old.  Hetty was a busy mother!

Undoubtedly named after his father, Samuel M., Samuel E’s middle name is Elwood, as shown on his World War I draft registration card, which interestingly lists his birthday as 1873.  In 1918 when the card was completed, he was medium height, medium build, with blue eyes and black hair.

005267041_01359

More posts on Samuel E. are coming.  Do you know anything about Samuel E. Parmer?  If so, please share in the comments or the Contact page.  We would really like to get to know him!