Parker, Emily Amelia
Emily Amelia Parker was born in Casco township, April 9th, 1860. Her parents began their career in life with but little of this world's goods, but they wanted their children to have an education and nothing was left undone on their part to accomplish it. Emily was a bright student; she taught school in Casco before she was 15 years old, also taught in other places. Then she became a pupil at the St. Clair school and graduated with the class of '81. She then taught one year in St. Clair high school, then went to St. Paul and taught school for eight years, and while there she endeared herself to many of her earnest, faithful teachings. She was quite a worker in the church and Sunday school, but she longed for something higher and better. She studied and passed her examination in 1890, and was sent by the Baptist Board of Michigan to Nimpo, China; there she spent two years, liked her work and was loved by the poor heathen women and children who were so anxious to learn of Jesus. Sickness compelled Miss Parker to return home much to her sorrow. She advised with several physicians, but never recovered. On the 4th of May last, she was united in marriage to Mr. Gilbert Donaldson, of Minneapolis. She left her parents with bright and happy thoughts for the future; she went to their home and found three boys and two girls who were pleased to call her mother; she filled her place well and satisfactorily, but alas it was of short duration; the sickness that she contracted crossing the ocean, came back with renewed force and she submitted to surgical treatment; for awhile 'twas thought she was doing well, but blood poison set in and on Sept. 24 she quietly passed away, leaving a husband, five children, a heart-broken father and mother, and one brother; also a host of relatives and friends to mourn her departure, but not as those without hope. She was laid away to rest amid a profusion of flowers, Sept. 26, in the beautiful Lakewood cemetery, Minneapolis. Thus ends the life of a noble woman.
From the St. Clair Historical Museum Collection