John V. C. PARKER, one of the foremost men in the jewelry trade in the country, was born in Morristown, New Jersey, December 20, 1876. He is the son of John E. PARKER, born in Birmingham, England, and came to this country with his parents when he was a boy of eight years of age. He located in Morristown and continued to make his residence until his death, July 29, 1902. Here John E. PARKER learned the jewelry trade and was always one of the foremost men in that line of business, a position in which his son has succeeded him. His mother was Sarah M. (VAN CLEVE) PARKER, daughter of John S. VAN CLEVE, native of Pennington, New Jersey, and a carriage trimmer by trade. Sarah M. (VAN CLEVE) PARKER died August 3, 1907, at the age of sixty-seven years and was buried in Morristown, Morris county, New Jersey. They had three children,

• one of whom died in infancy.
• Besides their son, John V. C. PARKER, with whom the present biographical sketch is concerned,
• there is also a daughter, Edith J., who married M. E. WALLACE, of Trenton, New Jersey.

The grandfather on the father’s side was John PARKER, of Birmingham, England, a shoemaker by trade. He came to this country with his family in 1845, as already mentioned, and settling in Morristown he practiced his trade and at the same time engaged in farming. He died in 1881.

John V. C. PARKER was educated in the public schools of Morristown, and when ready to enter business obtained a position in his father’s store which had been established in 1864, and here under his father’s competent instruction he learned the jewelry business. At the death of his father, John V. C. Parker became one of the proprietors of the establishment, the partners being J. V. C. PARKER and B. M. VAN CLEVE, continuing the success which his father had achieved. This took place ten years ago. Mr. PARKER is a Republican in his political beliefs, and in his religious affiliations is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He belongs to the Masonic order, Morristown Lodge, No. 188, Madison Chapter, No. 27, Ode de St. Amand Commandery, No 12, and is a member of the R. A., and ex-foreman of Independent Hose Company.

He married in Morristown, June 16, 1905, Mabel B. DAY, born in Newark, daughter of Stephen S. and Hattie (DE VOURSNEY) DAY. He father is now the general agent of the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company of Newark, New Jersey, and makes his residence in Morristown. Mr. and Mrs. Parker have three children but the eldest

• Edwin, died in 1907 at the age of sixteen months. The two living are:
• Ruth Day, born August 1, 1908;
• Jessie Day, November 22, 1910.

This biography was transcribed by John Cresseveur.

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