M.W. Edgar Henry Parkman 1914

Edgar Henry Parkman

On Wednesday, June 3, 1953, the Supreme Grand Master of the Universe called our beloved and honored Brother from "labor" to enter that Celestial Lodge above from whose bourn no traveler returns.

Brother Parkman was born in North Brookfield, Massachusetts on August 28, 1861. He was the son of Charles and Caroline Shumway Parkman. He attended the district and town schools there, graduating as valedictorian of his class in 1879. In 1882 he entered Amherst College, but being obliged to "work his way" remained only two years. He re-entered the college in 1887 and was graduated in 1889 with Phi Beta Kappa honors

In 1890, he married Miss Cora Fellows of Belchertown, Mass. She died in 1902. Four years later he married Miss Phoebe Isabel Smith of Hazardville, Connecticut. She survives him as do three daughters, Dorothy, Eleanor and Janet.

Throughout his life he was a prominent and revered educator. During the break in his college education he served as teacher in the towns of Oakham and Gloucester, and as principal of Belchertown High School.

Brother Parkman came to Thompsonville as the principal of the high school in the fall of 1889. He continued in that capacity until 1926 when he was appointed superintendent of schools. His principalship was broken for three years, however, while he served in World War I as an overseas secretary with the YMCA. He retired from the educational profession in 1941 at the age of eighty years. He was known and revered by thousands of graduates of Enfield High School throughout the country. He was a fluent and effective speaker and while active in educational affairs was in demand by various organizations for church, civic and educational functions.

He was long a leader in the First Presbyterian Church. Dean of the board of elders, both in age and length of service, he was for many years clerk of Session. He retired this year after thirty-seven years as president of the Ecclesiastical Society of the church.

He had many other fraternal and civic ties in addition to his Masonic interests. He was a past president and honorary member of the Thompsonville Rotary Club. For eight years preceding his death, he had been president of the historic Enfield Society for Detection of Thieves and Robbers. He held long memberships in Friendship Lodge I.O.O.F., Ionic Chapter O.E.S., H. A. Grant Camp, Sons of Union Veterans, Enfield Grange, various state and national educational associations.

Brother Parkman was Raised in Doric Lodge No. 94 of Thompsonville on April 9, 1896. He served as its Worshipful Master in 1899 and 1900. He served as District Deputy for the years 1903, 1904, 1905 and 1906. He was appointed Grand Senior Steward in 1907. He advanced through the successive offices of the Grand Lodge and became Most Worshipful Grand Master in 1914.

The Official Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Connecticut for the year 1914 indicate that Brother Parkman led this Grand Jurisdiction through an eventful and fruitful year. It was a year characterized "by quiet and steady growth, distinguished by peace and harmony at home, by the most cordial and friendly relations with other jurisdictions, by greater social and philanthropic effort, by increasing usefulness to Its members and to the community at large." It was a year of high devotion for him. He earned the confidence and affection of the brethren. He acquitted himself with credit and honor.

Brother Parkman was a man of unquestionable integrity, motivated by the loftiest of ideals. The words of Henry van Dyke portray the man.

"Four things a man must learn to do
If he would make his record true:
To think without confusion clearly;
To love his fellow-men sincerely,
To act from honest motives purely;
To trust in God and heaven securely."

The love and respect in which he was held was demonstrated by the large number of friends, associates and Masons who attended the funeral. This was held on Friday afternoon, June fifth at 2 o'clock in First Presbyterian Church after the body had lain in state for a two hour period. Committal services were at the Thompsonville Cemetery with the Masonic ritualistic service conducted by Doric Lodge.