William Casper Parker
1847 - 1928 (80 years)
Generation: 1
Generation: 2
Generation: 3
1. 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. 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-parkerFamily/Spouse: 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]
Children:
- 2. 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. - 3. 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.
- 4. 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.
- 5. 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.
- 6. 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.
- 2. Frederick Willard Parker
Generation: 2
2. Frederick Willard Parker (1.William1) 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. Notes:
PARKER, Frederick Willard, beloved brother of Miss Helen Parker, Mrs. Hazel E. Hughes and Mrs. Virginia Dawson, loving uncle of Perry Willard Parker, Marjorie Parker, Robert St. Clair Garber, Alice Virginia Dawson and Mary Florence Dawson, son of the late Dr. William C. and Mary Alice Parker, brother of the late Perry Marion Parker.
Services at St. Albans Episcopal Church, Hilgard and Westholme Avenues, Westwood Village, Thursday __ p.m. Interment private. Bresee Brothers & Gillette, directors.
Los Angeles Times
March 8, 1949
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/59359275/frederick-willard-parker
Shares marker with sister Helen Parker3. Perry Marion Parker (1.William1) 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. 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 1/2Family/Spouse: 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]
Children:
- 7. 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.
- 8. 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.
- 9. 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.
- 7. Perry Willard Parker
4. Helen Parker (1.William1) 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. Other Events:
- Occupation: school teacher
Notes:
Helen Parker
Miss Helen Parker, 87, of 313 Somerset Circle, Thousand Oaks, died Sunday evening in a local hospital after a lengthy illness.
Miss Parker was born in Pennsylvania April 27, 1887. A retired school teacher, she moved to Thousand Oaks from Los Angeles six years ago.
Miss Parker is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Virginia M. Dawson of Thousand Oaks and Mrs. Hazel E. Hughes of Los Angeles; two nephews; three nieces; and several great-nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday in Griffin Brothers Funeral Chapel, Thousand Oaks. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, Los Angeles.
News Chronicle, Thousand Oaks, California. Tuesday, 13 August 1974.
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/59360336/helen-m-parker
Shares marker with brother Frederick W. Parker5. Hazel Parker (1.William1) was born on 5 Feb 1890 in California; died on 8 Feb 1979 in Ventura County, California; was cremated in ashes scattered at sea. Notes:
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/59359879/hazel-eva-hughesHazel married Harold St. Clair Garber in Oct 1912 in Los Angeles County, California, and was divorced before 1927. Harold was born on 24 Nov 1885 in Cedar, Mahaska County, Iowa; died on 7 Jun 1927 in Tucson, Pima County, Arizona; was buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, Los Angeles County, California. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
Children:
- 10. Robert St. Clair Garber was born on 6 Nov 1916 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California; died on 19 Aug 1997 in Bakersfield, Kern County, California; was buried in Mountain View Cemetery, Altadena, Los Angeles County, California.
- 10. Robert St. Clair Garber
6. Virginia Marvin Parker (1.William1) 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. Other Events:
- Occupation: school teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District
- Census: 1940, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California
- Census: 1940, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California
Notes:
Virginia M. Dawson
Virginia M. Dawson, 95, of Newbury Park, died Sunday, Nov. 15, 1993, at Mary Health of the Sick. She was born Oct. 10, 1898, in Los Angeles and was a Los Angeles County resident for 27 years.
Virginia was a retired teach for the Los Angeles Unified School District, after 25 years.
She is survived by daughters, Alice MacAller of Thousand Oaks and Mary Hall of Westlake Village; 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
A vigil prayer service will be held Tuesday, Nov. 16, 1993, at 8:30 p.m. at St. Paschal Baylon Catholic Church. A mass of Christian burial will be held Wednesday, Nov. 17, 1993, at 11 a.m. at St. Paschal Baylon Church.
Donations may be sent to Mary Health of the Sick, 2929 Theresa Drive, Newbury Park, CA, 91320 or Los Angeles Master Chorale, 333 S. Grand Ave., Suite 480, Los Angeles, CA 90071.
Arrangements are under the direction of Pierce Brothers Griffin Mortuary, Thousand Oaks.
Thousand Oaks Star, Thousand Oaks, California. Tuesday, 16 November 1993.
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/59360108/virginia-marvin-dawsonVirginia married LeRoy Dawson on 2 Jul 1924 in Los Angeles County, California, and was divorced before 1940. LeRoy was born on 16 Jun 1896 in Dodge City, Ford County, Kansas; died on 22 Nov 1964 in Los Angeles County, California; was buried in Hollywood Forever, Hollywood, Los Angeles County, California. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
Children:
- 11. Alice Virginia Dawson was born on 11 Feb 1931 in Los Angeles County, California; died on 10 Sep 2013 in Thousand Oaks, Ventura County, California; was buried in Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Memorial Park, Westlake Village, Los Angeles County, California.
- 12. Mary Florence Dawson was born on 9 Apr 1933 in Los Angeles County, California; died on 25 Jan 2004 in Thousand Oaks, Ventura County, California; was buried in Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Memorial Park, Westlake Village, Los Angeles County, California.
Generation: 3
7. Perry Willard Parker (3.Perry2, 1.William1) 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. Notes:
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/179270551/perry-willard-parker8. Marion Parker (3.Perry2, 1.William1) 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. 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 79209. Marjorie Parker (3.Perry2, 1.William1) 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. Notes:
In 1974 Marjorie P. Holmes and Charles E. Holmes lived at 4043 Hegg St., San Diego, San Diego County, California. His occupation is listed as retired.
Evening Tribune (San Diego, CA)
Wednesday, August 5, 1987
Marjorie Parker Holmes
A requiem Eucharist for Marjorie Parker Holmes, 71, of East San Diego, will be said at 1 p.m. tomorrow in All Saints' Episcopal Church.
Cremation was planned by Merkley-Mitchell Mortuary, with burial of ashes at sea. She died Sunday in a hospital.
Mrs. Holmes was born in Los Angeles and lived in the county 39 years. She was a retired legal secretary and a member of the San Diego Legal Secretaries Association and served as its president in 1956-57. She was active in the church.
Survivors include two stepsons, Charles Holmes Jr. of Minnesota and Timothy Holmes of Alaska; and a niece, Merilou P. Rushing of Fresno.
The family suggested donations to the church or to charity.
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/140175984/marjorie-h-holmesMarjorie married Charles E. Holmes on 26 Jan 1969 in Imperial County, California. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
10. Robert St. Clair Garber (5.Hazel2, 1.William1) was born on 6 Nov 1916 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California; died on 19 Aug 1997 in Bakersfield, Kern County, California; was buried in Mountain View Cemetery, Altadena, Los Angeles County, California. Notes:
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/161805745/robert-st_clair-garber
Library of Love, Map 48, B4, Mausoleum11. Alice Virginia Dawson (6.Virginia2, 1.William1) was born on 11 Feb 1931 in Los Angeles County, California; died on 10 Sep 2013 in Thousand Oaks, Ventura County, California; was buried in Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Memorial Park, Westlake Village, Los Angeles County, California. Notes:
Alice Maccaller
On Tuesday, September 10, 2013, in Thousand Oaks, our beloved Alice went home to Jesus after a valiant fight against a long illness. She was 82. Alice was born on February 11, 1913, in Los Angeles. She grew up in Westwood, and lived in West Los Angeles before moving to Thousand Oaks in 1965 with her husband and young family.
A cherished wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother, we all remember her as a beautiful, kind, gracious, and loving woman who welcomed everyone. She had a wonderful sense of humor, brilliant intellect, and loving heart. A freelance writer and personal historian, her way with words was legendary. She loved the ocean, crescent moons, music and frequent gatherings with family and friend, full of laughter, food, and love. Countless friends mourn her passing along with her family.
She is survived by her loving husband of fifty-five years, Brandon; her devoted children Dominic (and his wife Kathleen), Julie, Michele McCurdy (and her husband, Mark), Andrea Buhr (and her husband Chris), and Stephen; her grandchildren Timothy, Matthew, Stephanie, and Jeannine MacAller; Alex Butchart; Maddy McCurdy; Trevor and Christian Buhr; and Annie and Sophie MacAller; as well as her great-granddaughter Ana MacAller.
A funeral Mass is set for Saturday, September 14 at St. Maximilian Kolbe in Westlake Village at 2 p.m., with a burial service to follow at Valley Oaks Cemetery.
Arrangements were made with the assistance of Griffin Family Funeral Chapels, Thousand Oaks. (805)-230-2800.
Ventura County Star, Ventura, California. Thursday, 12 September 2013.
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/145206001/alice-virginia-macaller12. Mary Florence Dawson (6.Virginia2, 1.William1) was born on 9 Apr 1933 in Los Angeles County, California; died on 25 Jan 2004 in Thousand Oaks, Ventura County, California; was buried in Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Memorial Park, Westlake Village, Los Angeles County, California. Notes:
Thousand Oaks
Mary Dawson Hall
Mary Dawson Hall, 70, died of cancer on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2004. She died peacefully at home with her six children gathered at her side.
Mary was born April 9, 1933, in Los Angeles, Calif. She was a remarkable woman, devoted to and dearly loved by her children and well-known in the real estate community for her “hallmark of excellence.” Family, friends or colleagues whose lives she touched were enriched by her strength, wisdom and humble mentoring abilities. Mary loved the sea and sharing music with others, singing and cantoring throughout her life.
Mary ware preceded in death by her husband, Robert W. Hall.
Mary is survived by her children, David Hall of Thousand Oaks, Mary Smith of Occidental, Calif., Therese Cohen of Menlo Park, Calif., Angela Sommer of Newbury Park, John Hall of Thousand Oaks and Michael Hall of Pleasant Hill, Calif.; sister, Alice MacAller of Thousand Oaks; and 11 grandchildren.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, at St. Maximilan Kolbe Catholic Church in Westlake Village.
In support of cancer research and efforts to find a cure for multiple myeloma, donations may be made in memory of Mary D. Hall to the International Myeloma Foundation, 12650 Riverside Drive, Suite 206, North Hollywood, CA 91607-3421; or the Kenneth J. Norris Cancer Center, 1441, Eastlake Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90033.
Arrangements are under the direction of Pierce Bros. Valley Oaks Mortuary, Westlake Village.
Ventura County Star, Ventura, California. Wednesday, 28 January 2004.
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/145205981/mary-florence-hallMary married Robert Winslow Hall on 8 Mar 1952 in Los Angeles County, California. Robert was born on 2 Jul 1929 in Lewiston, Auburn County, Maine; died on 29 Jun 2002 in Thousand Oaks, Los Angeles County, California; was buried in Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Memorial Park, Westlake Village, Los Angeles County, California. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]