Marion Parker: McKeown Genealogy

1915 - 1927 (12 years)

Generation: 1

Marion Parker was born on 11 Oct 1915 in Los Angeles County, California (daughter of Perry Marion Parker and Geraldine Heisel); died on 17 Dec 1927 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California; was buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, Los Angeles County, California.

Notes:

Murder Victim. The daughter of prominent banker Perry Parker, loving father of twin daughters, his nightmare would begin on December 15, 1927, while he thought his twin girls were safely at school. Marion Parker was unwittingly handed over to her killer by the school registrar at Mt. Vernon Junior High School. Her abductor, William Edward Hickman, had come to the school that day and said that Perry Parker, the girl’s father, had been seriously injured in an automobile accident and was calling for his daughter. On the morning of December 17, 1927, Perry Parker received a telegram reiterating the earlier demand for $1500 in exchange for his daughter’s life. Perry agreed to do whatever he needed for the safe return of his daughter, he arrived at the drop alone with the ransom money. He handed over the money to a young man who was waiting for him in a parked car. When he gave the money to Hickman, he was able to see his daughter sitting in the passenger seat next to him. But, when Parker got to Marion and took her in his arms he saw that not only was she dead, but she had been savagely mutilated. LAPD, the LA County Sheriff, and the District Attorney’s office had put all available men into the search for Marion. At that time it was the largest single manhunt in the city’s history. Suspicion settled upon Hickman, a former employee of Parker. Several years before the abduction, Hickman had been arrested on a complaint made by Parker regarding stolen and forged checks. The towel that was on Marion's body was the break that sent the police in the direction of Hickman. A week after the murder, officers Tom Gurdane and Buck Lieuallen found Hickman in Echo, Oregon. On October 19, 1928, Hickman mounted the 13 steps to the top of the gallows. He never expressed any remorse for what he did. Artifacts from the Marion Parker case are on display at the L.A. Police Museum.

Kidnaped Girl Brought Back Slain
Body Is Laid on Sidewalk After Banker Father Pays $1500 Ransom to Man Who Flees In Automobile.
Parent, Alone Races to Spot Designated for Child to Be Delivered to Him: Victim is Badly Slashed.
By United Press
Leased Wired to Tribune
Los Angeles, Dec. 17. – The mutilated body of Marion Parker, 12-year-old school girl, who had been held by kidnapers since Thursday, was laid on a sidewalk here tonight as her father looked on after paying $1500 ransom, detectives announced.
Keeping an appointment with one of the kidnapers, who drove up to a designated street corner in an open automobile, the father handed the man $1500, and was told that the girl would be put out of the car half a block down the street.
The father did not know that she was dead.
As he stood watching, the automobile proceeded down the street. When it stopped, as promised, a man stepped out and laid the body on the sidewalk, detectives said. The man then re-entered the car and fled.
Father Find Child Slain.
The father then rushed to the spot, believing he had his little girl save again, but found her dead and her body badly cut. The manner in which she died was not known by the police. They said the identification by the father was positive.
The father, who was alone, is said to have seen part of the license on the roadster. Police asked that a lookout be kept for the light car, which bore a California license.
The father received a telephone message shortly after 7 o’clock, detectives said. He notified headquarters and went alone to the appointed street corner.
Arriving at the designated corner he waited but a few minutes when the kidnapers’ automobile drove up.
The father handed over 75 $20 United States gold certificates and the man in the car warned him to remain where he was while he drove down the street. The certificates bore the numbers K-68016-901 to K-68016-975.
Deat Indicated Before Meeting.
While there was some doubt at police headquarters as to whether the girl had been killed before or after the money was paid, every indication was that the girl was dead before the man met the father.
The body was rushed to the county morgue. Dr. A.F. Wagner, county autopsy sergeon, was performing an autopsy at 10:15 p.m. He estimated it would require an hour to complete his examination of the mangled and slashed body.
Until the completion of this examination coroner’s office attaches refused to disclose whether or not the girl had been attacked or the manner in which she was killed.
Girl Strangled By Wire About Neck
The body of the girl was tossed from the car between Fourth and Fifth streets on Manhattan Place, the appointed meeting place. Police said the father insisted on going to the spot alone. He feared that if officers accompanied him, the kidnapers of his daughter might carry out their threats to harm her.
Manhattan Place is the exclusive Wilshire residential district of Los Angeles.
Death was due to a bit of piano wire tightened about the girl’s neck, according to the early examination by police surgeon. Wire had been twisted so tightly about the girl’s legs that they had literally been cut from her body, the detective bureau added.
“She was mangled beyond words,” one of the detective sergeants commented.
Oakland Tribune, Oakland, California. Sunday, 18 December 1927.

LKH note: The kidnapping and murder of Marion Parker was heavily covered in California newspapers and in newspapers across the whole the United States. Coverage began with news of her kidnapping with multiple news articles each day, and continued over a period of several days when her body was found and the search for her murderer began. Coverage continued after Hickman was found, was arrested and later confessed.
* * * *
Here is a summary of the case:
Body of Marion Parker, kidnaped 12-year-old Los Angeles school girl, surrendered to her father after he meets kidnaper in outlaying section of town and pays $1500. Body is found horribly mutilated, with arms and legs amputated and piano wire stuck into eyes to hold them open. Part of body are found neatly wrapped in packages in street.
Police find suspected house of death where Marion was put to death. In it they find blood-stained towels, fingerprints, razor blades, “The Murder in the Rue Morgue”, by Poe; picture of Judas Iscariot and other evidence.
Kidnaper’s car, which had been stolen in Kansas City, and carried license plates stolen in San Diego, found in parking place.
Two of many detained by police are quizzed. One is “casual friend” of Parker family, a youth who refuses to give detailed account of his activities last few days. Other is girl who was found in front of the house crying “I did not kill her.”
Fund of more than $100,000 raised as reward to stimulate search.
It was reported here this afternoon that the murderer of Marion Parker had been arrested at Los Angeles. It was said in the report that the fiend was a 17-year-old youth who was employed in a bank at the southern city. This could not be verified but at the sheriff’s office was declared likely to be untrue, since no official report had been received from the Los Angeles authorities.
The Colusa Herald, Colusa, California. Tuesday, 20 December 1927.
* * *
Fingerprint identification established beyond all shadow of a doubt this morning that William Edward Hickman, a former messenger employed at the bank where Marion Parker’s father is an official, was the sleek stranger who lured the little girl from school and finally delivered the child’s mangled body to her father last Saturday night.
The Van Nuys News, Van Nuys, California. Tuesday, 20 December 1927, page 1.
* * * *
San Quentin, Oct. 19 – The hanging of Hickman was the final chapter in one of the most sensation murder cases in the history of California.
[LKH note: there follows a detailed account of the kidnapping and a description with too much detail of Marion Parker’s murder and mutilation of her body.]
Positive identification of Hickman as the murderer was made on December 20 through a tip furnished by Welby Hunt, his former partner in a series of holdups.
By that time Hickman was fleeing north through California in a stolen automobile, making a mad dash for the Canadian border.
His trail was picked up in Seattle, Wash., when he spent one of the telltale $20 bills and he was cornered and captured at Pendleton, Oregon, on December 22.
Enterprise-Record,
Saturday, 20 Octo 1928.

Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8978/marion-parker

Plot: Great Mausoleum, Columbarium of Peace, Niche 7920

Generation: 2

Perry Marion Parker was born on 16 Dec 1879 in Mansfield, Tioga County, Pennsylvania (son of William Casper Parker and Mary Alice Marvin); died on 30 Dec 1944 in Los Angeles County, California; was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California.

Notes:

Perry M. Parker, 65, assistant cashier of the Security-First National Bank, with which he was connected for 44 years, died yesterday in the California Hospital following an operation. He was a native of Pennsylvania and came here in his youth. The home is at 1631 S. Wilton Place. Besides his widow, Mrs. Geraldine Parker, he leaves a daughter, Miss Marjorie Parker, and a son, Capt. William Parker, with the armed forces. Funeral arrangements are to be made by Bresee Bros. & Gillette Mortuary.

Los Angeles Times
January 1, 1945

PARKER, Perry M. Parker,
Services at Bresee Brothers' Gillette Chapel Thursday 1:30 p.m.

Los Angeles Times
January 3, 1945

Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/59357183/perry-marion-parker

Section G, Lot 5260W 1/2

Perry married Geraldine Heisel. Geraldine was born on 7 Jan 1888 in Brunswick, Chariton County, Missouri; died on 11 Jan 1963 in San Diego County, California; was cremated in Evergreen Cemetery, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Geraldine Heisel was born on 7 Jan 1888 in Brunswick, Chariton County, Missouri; died on 11 Jan 1963 in San Diego County, California; was cremated in Evergreen Cemetery, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California.

Notes:

PARKER, Geraldine H., mother of Marjorie H. and Perry W. Parker, widow of Perry M. Parker. Services Tuesday, 1 p.m., at Benbough Mortuary, San Diego, Cremation.

Los Angeles Times
January 13, 1963

Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/59356870/geraldine-parker

Section G, Lot 526-W 1/2, Row 3

Children:

Perry Willard Parker was born on 14 Jun 1907 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California; died on 8 Apr 1983 in Torrance, Los Angeles County, California; was buried in burial details unknown.
1. Marion Parker was born on 11 Oct 1915 in Los Angeles County, California; died on 17 Dec 1927 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California; was buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, Los Angeles County, California.
Marjorie Parker was born on 11 Oct 1915 in Los Angeles County, California; died on 2 Aug 1987 in San Diego County, California; was cremated in ashes scattered at sea.

Generation: 3

William Casper Parker was born on 21 Jun 1847 in Zanesville, Muskingum County, Ohio (son of John Brown Parker and Mary Catherine Perry); died on 8 Jan 1928 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California; was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California.

Notes:

Grandsire of Parker Girl Dies
Widow Left by Doctor; Funeral to be Conducted This Morning
Announcement of the death of Dr. William Casper Parker, 80-year-old grandfather of Marion Parker, Kidnapped and slain school child, which occurred Sunday at 2 a.m., was made yesterday. Dr. Parker died at his home at 1750 St. Andrews Place, after a long illness, death being attributed to old age and infirmities.
Funeral services will be conducted today at 11 a.m. at the Bresee Brothers’ chapel, 855 South Figueroa street.
Mr. Parker leaves his widow, Mary Alice Parker; two sons, Frederick Willard and Parry Marion; three daughters, Helen, Mrs. Hazel E. Garber and Mrs. LeRoy Dawson, and three grandchildren, Perry Willard Parker and Marjorie Parker, son and daughter of Mrs. Perry Marion Parker, and Robert Garber, all of Los Angeles. One brother, Perry Brown Parker, of McFarland, and one sister, Mrs. George J. Dalton of Los Angeles, also are left.
Interment in Evergreen Cemetery will follow the funeral.
The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, California. Tuesday, 10 January 1928.

Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/59358694/william-casper-parker

William married Mary Alice Marvin. Mary was born on 2 Oct 1854 in Putnam County, Ohio; died on 11 Apr 1930 in Los Angeles County, California; was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary Alice Marvin was born on 2 Oct 1854 in Putnam County, Ohio; died on 11 Apr 1930 in Los Angeles County, California; was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California.

Notes:

PARKER, At 1850 South St. Andrews Place, April 11, Mary A., widow of the late Dr. W.C. Parker; mother of F.W. and P.M. and Helen Parker and Mrs. Hazel E. Garber and Mrs. Le Roy Dawson; grandmother of Perry Willard Parker, Marjorie Parker and Bobbie Garber; beloved sister of Charles F. Marvin and Mrs. H.W. Smith of Washington, D.C. Funeral at Bresee Brothers' chapel, 855 Figueroa Monday at 2:30 p.m. Interment, Evergreen Cemetery.

Los Angeles Times
April 14, 1930

Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/59357693/mary-alice-parker

Children:

Frederick Willard Parker was born on 2 Sep 1877 in Carnegie, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania; died on 6 Mar 1949 in Los Angeles County, California; was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California.
2. Perry Marion Parker was born on 16 Dec 1879 in Mansfield, Tioga County, Pennsylvania; died on 30 Dec 1944 in Los Angeles County, California; was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California.
Helen Parker was born on 27 Apr 1887 in Pennsylvania; died on 11 Aug 1974 in Thousand Oaks, Los Angeles County, California; was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California.
Hazel Parker was born on 5 Feb 1890 in California; died on 8 Feb 1979 in Ventura County, California; was cremated in ashes scattered at sea.
Virginia Marvin Parker was born on 10 Oct 1898 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California; died on 14 Nov 1993 in Thousand Oaks, Ventura County, California; was buried in Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Memorial Park, Westlake Village, Los Angeles County, California.

Generation: 4

John Brown Parker was born on 29 May 1818 in County Down, Ireland (son of John Parker and Margarett McBride); died on 5 Feb 1904 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California; was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California.

Other Events:

Census: 1850, Hanover Township, Licking County, Ohio
Census: 1860, Hanover Township, Licking County, Ohio
Census: 1870, Hanover Township, Licking County, Ohio
Census: 1900, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California

Notes:

John Brown Parker, age 86 years, died February 5, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. B.F. Thomas, of Los Angeles. The deceased was engaged in the mercantile business in Zanesville for several years, and went from her to Pomona, Calif. in 1874. He lived in the first house ever built in that town; was the first village postmaster and served first as justice of the peace. He lived in Los Angeles since 1885.
The Times Recorder, Zanesville, Ohio. Tuesday, 16 February 1904.

Pomona’s First Postmaster Dies.
John Brown Parker, Pioneer of Los Angeles County.
Occupied First House Built on Present Site of Pomona – Was First Justice of the Peace There. A Staunch Churchman.
John Brown Parker, a pioneer of Los Angeles county, and one of the first American settlers in the Pomona Valley, died in this city early yesterday morning at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. B.F. Thomas, No.1236 East Eighth street.
Mr. Parker was 86 years old at the time of his death, and was a man of splendid physique, possessed of fine health up to his last illness, which was brief. He occupied the first house erected on the site of the present city of Pomona, where he settle in 1874 – an old adobe that is said till to be standing on the outskirts of the city. He was the first postmaster of Pomona, and its first justice of the peace.
Deceased was born in the county of Downs, Northern Ireland, May 29, 1818. In 1830 he migrated to Rochester, N.Y., and later to Zanesville, O., where he was engaged in mercantile pursuits for many years. In that State, in 1845, he married Mary Catherine Perry, who passed away in this city in 1886.
Mr. Parker moved to the present site of Pomona in 1874, and thence to Los Angeles in 1885, where he has since resided. Like most of the natives of the North of Ireland, he was a staunch and active Protestant, and organized and long superintended the first Sunday-school in Pomona. He was a member of the First Christian Church of this city.
Mr. Parker became the father of a family of ten. The surviving children are Mrs. Anna Haun of Chicago, O., and Dr. W.C. Parker, J.H. Parker, Mrs. George J. Dalton, Parry B. parker, Frank M. Parker and Mrs. B.F. Thomas of this city.
Mr. Parker was distinguished among his friends as a man who never tasted tobacco nor whisky nor used a profane word in his life.
Funeral services will be held at the residence of his daughter, No.1236 East Eighth street, tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 o’clock; interment at Evergreen Cemetery.
The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, California. Saturday, 6 February 1904.

Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/66320333/john-brown-parker

Section G

John married Mary Catherine Perry on 11 Mar 1845. Mary was born on 5 Dec 1825 in Virginia; died on 28 Feb 1886; was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary Catherine Perry was born on 5 Dec 1825 in Virginia; died on 28 Feb 1886; was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California.

Notes:

Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/66320334/mary-catherine-parker

Section G

Children:

Margaret Ann "Anna" Parker was born on 19 Dec 1845 in Ohio; died on 28 May 1915 in Los Angeles County, California; was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California.
4. William Casper Parker was born on 21 Jun 1847 in Zanesville, Muskingum County, Ohio; died on 8 Jan 1928 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California; was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California.
James Henry Parker was born on 1 Oct 1848 in Ohio; died on 7 Aug 1851.
Mary Emily Parker was born on 10 Aug 1850 in Ohio; died on 5 Dec 1886 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California; was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California.
James Henry Parker was born on 17 Sep 1852 in Ohio; died on 10 Feb 1913 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California; was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California.
Sarah Elizabeth Parker was born on 6 May 1854 in Zanesville, Muskingum County, Ohio; died on 9 Apr 1941 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California; was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California.
Melissa Yreka Parker was born on 24 Dec 1855; died on 1 Oct 1860.
Infant Son Parker was born on 12 May 1857; died on 12 May 1857.
Perry Brown Parker was born on 12 Nov 1859 in Hanover, Licking County, Ohio; died on 10 Jun 1951 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California; was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California.
Francis Marion Parker was born on 16 Nov 1861 in Ohio; died on 20 Feb 1927; was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California.
Edna Ethelda Parker was born on 19 Nov 1870 in Ohio; died on 20 Mar 1912 in Hood River, Hood River County, Oregon; was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California.

McKeown and Shields Families

Marion Parker