E. L. Parker Dies

Former Lieut.-Governor Taken Yesterday At His Home

Widely Known In State

Formerly In Business At Nezperce and Cottonwood; Held Several Offices; Funeral Be 10 A.M. Wednesday.

Ernest L. Parker, 70, former lieutenant governor of Idaho, early day commissioner of Nez Perce county and its probate judge for four years, receiver of the U.S. land office here by appointment of President Wilson and a member of the city council for two years, passed away yesterday morning at 6:45 o'clock at his home, 502 Fifth avenue, from diabetes. He has been in failing health for several years.

He was among the best known men of the state and for more than 40 years was prominent in the councils of the democratic party.

Born at Sigourney, Iowa, November 29, 1864, the son of John T. and Albina S. Parker, he was educated in his native state and in the late '80s came west, locating at Spokane, where he and his brother, James S. Parker, engaged in the planing mill business. After two years Mr. Parker went to Moscow and in 1890 he and his brother established a sawmill and sash factory at Denver in Idaho county. This was the first business of its kind operated on Camas prairie.

To Nezperce in 1893.

In 1893 he moved to Nezperce and at the time of the opening of the Nez Perce Indian reservation in 1895 he served in an official capacity. At Nezperce he owned a lumber yard and general store. About 30 years ago the family moved to Cottonwood where Mr. Parker was in business until moving to Lewiston in 1919.

He was elected county commissioner in 1896 and again in 1900, representing the Nezperce section when Lewis county was a part of Nez Perce county.

Elected in 1916 he serves as lieutenant governor of Idaho in 1917-18 when M. Alexander was governor. As presiding officer of the senate he participated in much important legislation and served frequently as acting governor during the forced absence of Governor Alexander. As lieutenant governor Mr. Parker was placed at the head of the state council of defense in the last two years of the World war and the demands of his public work made inroads upon his health.

Served On Council.

In 1919 he was appointed receiver of the U.S. land office and served five years. In 1925 he was elected to the city council and was street commissioner, resigning in January, 1927, to become probate judge of Nez Perce county, an office he held until 1931.

In 1900 Mr. Parker was chosen to represent Nez Perce county to oppose a movement designed to annex a part of this county to Shoshone county.

He is survived by a widow, Carrie B. Parker; a son and two daughters, Jack Parker and Mrs. Evelyn Abbott, both of Seattle, and Marlys Parker, living at home; also four brothers and a sister; Thomas B. Parker, Clarkston; J. S. Parker, Tacoma; Fred Parker, Hollywood, Cal.; Charles Parker, Cherryvale, Kan., and Mrs. Samuel Howell, Davenport, Iowa.