Dr. J. W. Parmley Obit
This was found in an old copy of the "Signs of the Times"
Golconda, Ill., July 1926
Dear Brethren:I am inclosing a tribute to my late husband, Dr. J. W. Parmly, which I would like you to insert in th Sign of the Times. He was a firm believer in th doctrine set forth by the Primitive Baptists.
Your sister, I hope,
Mary E. Parmley
Dr. J. W. Parmley was born near Rock, Pope County, Ill, June 11th, 1845, and departed this life Wednesday, May 20th, 1925, aged 79 years, 11 months, and 9 days.He was the oldest son of Ellsberry and Nancy Jane Parmley.His ancestors came from England to the New England States, and later removed to Tennessee, and from there to Pope County, Ill., in which place the family home has been for over one hundred years.When only a boy of eighteen years of age, he enlisted during the Civil War in the service of his country in the 13th Ill. Cavalry, where he served until he was honorably discharged at the close of the war.He loved to talk of his experiences as a soldier, and his children have many pleasant memories of his reminiscences. He was married to Mary Ellen Ellis, of Rock, Ill., November 15th, 1866, and this devoted couple shared the pleasures and storms of fifty-eight years. To their union were born nine children, four of whom preceded him to the life eternal, namely: Albert Green, Belle, Cordelia and Lura E. Those left to mourn the loss of the beloved husband and father are his aged compainion and five children, namely: Mrs. Allie Austin, Mrs. Olive Gibson, George Parmley, Jr., Mrs. India Wade and Mrs. Grace Abbott, together with seven grandchildren, four brothers and other relatives and friends.
At the age of thirty-two years he entered the American Eclectic Medical College of St. Louis, Mo., and graduated in May 1878. He came home and began the practice of medicine and continued in active practice for more than forty years, until failing sight and bodily infirmities caused him to have to give up his loved profession.Practicing as he had for more than forty years, he was intimately associated with practically all of the present generation of the surrounding country within a radius of fifteen or twenty miles.Through snow and rain, sometimes with sleet frozen on his face, he rode at all times, day and night, to relieve the suffering of the people of the community, and often during sieges of sickness was gone from home for days, sometimes leaving sickness in his own home to minister to others' needs. His faithful wife was always his help and reliance at such times, and bore her share of the hardships which such service calls for. No one gets closer to the home life of the peoplethan the family doctor, and he will be long remembered by those to whom his coming was a help and comfort, for they knew he would go when called upon, regardless of the compensation.He was converted about forty years ago, and although he never united with the church, his life was a living example of true religion as expressed by the apostle James, pure religion and undefiled before God is this, to minister to widows and orphans in their affliction. He was ready and willing to go, and died rejoicing in the Savior's love. He was a member of Golconda Lodge, No. 131, A.F. and A.M. for many years. He bore his last illness of seven weeks with patience and christian fortitude, and was surrounded by every loving care and attention that his loving children could give him, for which he often expressed his appreciation.
He was laid to rest in Mt. Zion Cemetery near Rock. The funeral was conducted by Mr. Newt. Rogers and Mr. Maynor, with Masonic rites at the cemetery. A short talk was also made by Uncle Bailey Floyd, representing the G.A.R.