Introduction
HORACE BALLINGER PARKER JR. was born on December 4, 1885 to Horace B. Parker and the former Margaret Donnelly. His father was from Parkertown in Burlington County, New Jersey, his mother had been born in Ireland. The Parkers lived in Philadelphia at the time of the 1900 Census. They first appear in Camden City Directories in 1905. Horace B. Parker, a fine athlete, played semi-pro basketball in Camden for a number of years. His first known season was playing for the Monarch Athletic Club during 1904–1905.
Camden in those years was a basketball hotbed. The Camden Electrics won the National Basket Ball League title in 1902–1903. Unfortunately, the league disbanded in 1904, although the Electrics remained active as a non-league semi-pro team through 1914. Horace Parker played with the Electrics for three seasons, from 1906–1907 through 1909.
Although the National League had folded, basketball remained quite popular in the city and elsewhere. A professional league was organized in Philadelphia, but no Camden franchise ever joined this league. Besides the semi-pro Electrics, a number of other teams were organized. One of the most successful and enduring of these were the Camden Alphas, sponsored by the Alpha Club, a social club headquartered on Broadway in South Camden. The Alphas and other teams such as the Third Regiment NJ National Guard team operated in loose confederation of independent teams. Besides appearing with the Electrics, Horace Parker played for the Third Regiment Club in 1908–1909 and for the Camden Alphas in 1909–1910. The Alphas were Camden city champions that season, and joined the Eastern Basket Ball League the next year. Horace Parker, however, did not play for this club and it appears his basketball career ended with the close of the 1909–1910 season, which was about the same time his second child was born.
Horace Parker had married Gertrude Stanton, the daughter of James and Mary Stanton, on July 25, 1906. A daughter, Lillian, was born in the first year of their marriage, followed by another girl, Margaret, and then a son, Horace B. Parker III, in 1911.
After the Parkers wed, they lived at 803 Princeton Avenue in South Camden with his parents. The City Directories for 1908 indicate that his parents had moved to 2702 Westfield Avenue in East Camden. Horace Parker Jr. and his wife moved first to 625 Pine Street prior to the compilation of the 1909 Directory. By the time the 1910 City Directory was being compiled, Horace Parker Jr. and family had moved to 438 Cherry Street, and remained there for at least one year. Horace Parker Jr. worked as a bookkeeper and as a commission merchant during these times, and perhaps supplemented his income by playing semi-pro basketball and baseball.
Life took a bad turn towards the end of 1912. Horace B. Parker Sr.’s father passed away on November 17, 1912. Worse yet, Gertrude Parker took ill, and the family moved back to Horace’s mother’s home at 2702 Westfield Avenue. She was attended to by Dr. Henry H. Sherk, whose office was just a few doors away on Westfield Avenue. Sadly, Gertrude Parker died of tuberculosis on July 7, 1913 leaving her husband to raise their three children with the help of his mother.
When Horace B. Parker registered for the draft in September of 1918 he was working as a motorman, driving a Public Service trolley car.
Horace B. Parker Jr. died from hemorrhages at the age of 33 on May 17, 1919. The 1920 Census shows his mother and his three children still residing at 2702 Westfield Avenue, where she took in boarders to make ends meet. The Parker family was still at this address as late as 2004. Daughter Lillian Parker died in 1926. Margaret Donnelly Parker remained in Camden for the rest of her days, passing away at the age of 98 in 1964. Daughter Margaret also passed away in Camden, on February 9, 1994. Horace B. Parker III last lived in Virginia Beach, Virginia, passing away in 1985.
Horace B. Parker’s aunt
Monarch Athletic Club — 1904–1905
Monarch Athletic Club basketball team, 1904–1905. Seven men are pictured on a stoop, four standing (one in a jacket and bow tie) and three seated on a rug; the players wear “M” jerseys and the ball is lettered “M 04-05.” Horace B. Parker Jr. is identified as one of them; the picture prints no names, and his place in it is not recorded.
Record Score Made at Millville
Philadelphia Inquirer —
MILLVILLE, Dec. 24 (Special) — The Millville Social and Athletic Association team easily defeated the Monarch Athletic Association five, of Camden, by 91 to 11.
Camden. Positions Millville. Ewin ............ Forward ..... Smith (Boyd) Parker .......... Forward ............. Felmey Eames ........... Centre ............... Bacon Bounger ......... Guard .......... Coombs Perkins ......... Guard ........... Campbell
Goals from field—Ewin, 4; Eames, 1; Smith, 4; Boyd, 11; Felmey, 16; Bacon, 7; Coombs, 2; Campbell, 5. From fouls—Eames. Smith. Referee—Chance.
An Easy Mark for M. S. A. A.
Bridgeton Evening News —
Crack Team From Camden Badly Defeated — Millville’s New Team Looks Like a Winner and Should be South Jersey Champions.
The M. S. A. A. basket-ball team established a record in scoring Saturday night in their gymnasium when they defeated the Monarch A. A. of Camden, by the score of 91 to 11. A good-sized crowd saw the game although the stormy weather kept many away. Although the score was large yet the Millville boys played a fine game and as an exhibition, gave a great game. At the very start the Camden boys who were all husky-looking lads, landed one in the net and everyone thought there would be something doing until the Millville boys began to pass and then it was all over but the counting. Such passing has not been seen here for a long time, on a small floor, marred by posts in the middle of the floor and with a big heavy team to play against, the M. S. A. A. team showed the result of careful coaching by passing the ball all around the visitors. Very few long shots were tried and it made the heart of the basket-ball “sharps” glad to see the team work the boys exhibited. Everyone did good work and everyone passed the ball. Campbell, the local guard, played the star game, blocking his man, getting the ball and passing in the way that has made him famous as a believer in team work. Campbell is playing better this year than ever and did splendid work Saturday night. Coombs and Felmey excelled in aggressive work and kept the ball going all the time while Felmey scored many in the basket. The rest of the men also did fine work. The half closed with the score 35 to 5. In the second half “Jacky” Boyd came into the game and “just to show there was no frost” set the galleries wild by throwing goals as fast as the ball was thrown out. He also is playing in old-time form. For the Camden lads, Parker and Eames played the best game, although they had hold of the ball so seldom that no one could decide just how they could play. It was an easy game, and yet a hard one, for the locals worked hard. The team looks like a winner for this season, and it will take a strong combination to defeat them.
The score and line-up:
M. S. A. A.: Smith/Boyd (forward), Felmey (forward), Bacon (centre), Campbell (guard), Coombs (guard).
Camden: Irvin (forward), Parker (forward), Eames (centre), Ballinger (guard), Curtis (guard).
Goals from field—Smith, 4; Boyd, 13; Felmey, 15; Bacon, 7; Campbell, 5; Coombs, 2; Irvin, 1; Eames, 4. Goals from offenses—Smith, 1; Irvin, 1. Fouls called on—Felmey, 1; Bacon, 1; Campbell, 1; Parker, 1; Eames, 2; Curtis, 1. Referee—Walter Barber.
Horace and Gertrude Parker — 1906
Horace and Gertrude Parker, circa 1906
Wedding Invitation: Gertrude G. Stanton and Horace B. Parker, Jr.
Wedding invitation —
Mrs. Mary Stanton
requests the honor of your presence at the marriage of her daughter
Gertrude G.
to
Mr. Horace B. Parker, Jr.
Wednesday Afternoon, July the twenty-fifth Nineteen hundred and six at four o’clock
At St. Edward’s R. C. Church Seventh and York Streets Philadelphia
Parker—Stanton
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Miss Gertrude Stanton, of 1854 North Seventh street, Philadelphia, and Horace Parker, Jr., of 803 Princeton avenue, Camden, were married by Rev. Deaner, of St. Edward’s Catholic Church, on Wednesday. The bridesmaid was Miss Laura Stanton, the sister of the bride, and the best man was John Snodgrass, Jr., a cousin of the groom. The wedded pair started upon a trip to Niagara Falls.
Horace B. Parker Jr. – John Snodgrass Jr.
Tender Reception to Camden Couple Who Have Returned From Honeymoon
Philadelphia Inquirer —
New Jersey Happenings
MR. AND MRS. HORACE PARKER, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Horace Parker, of 803 Princeton avenue, Camden, tendered a reception to Mr. and Mrs. Horace Parker, Jr., on their return yesterday from a honeymoon spent at Niagara Falls.
There was a fine program of vocal and instrumental music. A banquet was served. About 200 persons attended.
The out-of-town guests were from Philadelphia, Homestead and Munhall, Pa.; Haddonfield, Merchantville and Marlton.
Third Regiment N.J. National Guard — 1908–1909
Third Regiment N.J. National Guard basketball team, 1908–1909. Five men are pictured in jerseys lettered “N.J.,” two standing, one standing holding the ball, and two seated; the ball is lettered “N.J. 08-09.” Horace B. Parker Jr. is identified as one of them; the picture prints no names, and his place in it is not recorded.
Camden Basketball Games
Philadelphia Inquirer —
By scoring forty-six points, Timmons, of the Reliance team, made a new record for individual work in Camden basketball. He threw twenty-two goals from the field and made two goals from fouls. South End was the opposing team and they made but fourteen points to eighty-eight for Reliance.
| Reliance. | Positions. | South End. |
|---|---|---|
| Casper (Barr) | Forward | Campbell |
| Timmons | Forward | T. Smith |
| J. Mulligan | Centre | Keller |
| E. Mulligan | Guard | C. Smith (Rourk) |
| Holvick | Guard | Rox |
Field goals—Barr, 2; Casper, 15; Timmons, 22; J. Mulligan, 4; Campbell, T. Smith, 3; Keller, Rourk. Foul goals—Timmins, 2.
The Silent Five was no match for Collingswood last night, the score being 41 to 19.
| Silent Five. | Positions. | Collingswood. |
|---|---|---|
| Blong | Forward | Baumgartner |
| Barr | Forward | Liby |
| Caviston | Centre | Whitaker |
| Brown | Guard | Maclary |
| Ormsby | Guard | Jefferson |
Field goals—Baumgartner, 4; Liby, 3; Whitaker, 7; Maclary, 2; Jefferson, 3; Blong, Barr, Brown, 4; Ormsby. Foul goals—Whitaker, 2; Blong, Ormsby.
To Melrose, which has not lost a game this season, goes the credit of administering the first defeat to Tuxedo, the score being 40 to 20. O’Brien caged sixteen goals from fouls.
| Tuxedo. | Positions. | Melrose. |
|---|---|---|
| Homan | Forward | Howell |
| Fahl | Forward | Erdbring |
| Jeggard [sic] | Centre | O’Brien |
| Hall | Guard | Thompson |
| Ballinger | Guard | Logan |
Field goals—Homan, 3; Fahl, Jaggard, 2; Howell, 4; Erdbrink, 3; O’Brien, 4; Thompson. Goals from fouls—Jaggard, 8; O’Brien, 16.
Third Regiment went down before Alpha by a score of 40 to 23. O’Brien and Weaver made thirty-four of the victorious team’s points.
| Alpha. | Positions. | 3d Regiment. |
|---|---|---|
| Schierth | Forward | Urban |
| O’Brien | Forward | McCausland |
| Weaver | Centre | Howell |
| Henry | Guard | Fox |
| Parker | Guard | Price |
[cut off at the crop edge]
Emerson Athletic Association Baseball Team
Camden Post-Telegram —
EMERSON FIRST TEAM. Reading from left to right those in the photograph are: Top row—C. Wilson, third base; C. Gandy, first base and captain; H. Dease, umpire; H. Storms, right field; J. Singer, third base, and manager. Middle row—Horace B. Parker Jr., shortstop; Fish, centre field; Smith, second base; Osborne, left field. Bottom row—Tomlin, pitcher; Rumford, catcher.
Alpha Club — 1909–1910
Alpha Club basketball team, 1909–1910, Camden city champions. Eight men are pictured in jerseys lettered “A” (two of the back row wear suits); the ball is lettered “Alpha Champions 09-10.” Horace B. Parker Jr. is identified as one of them; the picture prints no names, and his place in it is not recorded. The Alphas were not in a professional league that season, but were apparently in a loose confederation of independent teams. They joined the Eastern Basketball League the following season.
Death of Horace B. Parker Sr.
Philadelphia Inquirer —
PARKER.—16th inst. HORACE B. Sr., husband of Margaret Parker (nee Donnelly). Relatives and friends invited to funeral, Fri., 2 P. M., residence, 2702 Westfield ave., Camden, N. J. Interment Arlington. Remains may be viewed Thurs evening.
PARKER—On January 16, 1912, Harace [sic] B., Sr., husband of Margaret Parker (nee Donnelly). The relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the funeral, on Friday afternoon, January 19, at two o’clock, from his late residence, 2702 Westfield Ave., Camden, N. J. Interment Arlington Cemetery. Remains may be viewed Thursday evening.
Death of Gertrude G. Parker
Philadelphia Inquirer —
PARKER.—7th inst. GERTRUDE G. wife of Horace B Parker, Jr. and daughter of Mary and late James J Stanton. Relatives and friends invited to funeral, Thurs, 8 A M, residence, 2702 Westfield ave, Camden, N J. Solemn high mass of requiem St Joseph’s, 9 A M. Interment Arlington. Remains may be viewed Wed evening.
FUNERAL OF MRS. PARKER. The funeral of Mrs. Gertrude Parker, wife of Horace B. Parker, Jr., of 2702 Westfield avenue, took place this morning from her late home at 8 o’clock and at 10 o’clock Solemn High Mass of Requiem was solemnized at St. Joseph’s R. C. Church, Twenty-fifth and Howell streets, in charge of Rev. A. C. Shuvelen. Many friends of deceased viewed the remains last evening. Interment was made at Arlington Cemetery. The family have the sincere sympathy of their many friends in their sad hour of bereavement.
Registration Card of Horace Ballinger Parker, Jr.
U.S. World War I draft registration card —
REGISTRATION CARD
SERIAL NUMBER 558. ORDER NUMBER A-1003.
1. Name in full: Horace Ballinger Parker, Jr. [the “Jr.” is cut off at the edge]
2. Permanent home address: 2702 Westfield, Camden N.J.
3. Age in years: 32. 4. Date of birth: Dec. 4, 1885
5. Race: White (checked)
10. U. S. Citizen: Native Born (checked)
16. Present occupation: Motorman. 17. Employer’s name: Pub. Service.
18. Place of employment or business: Camden N.J.
19. Nearest relative: Margaret Parker, mother, 2702 Westfield, Camden N.J.
I affirm that I have verified above answers and that they are true. Horace Parker [signature]
P. M. G. O. Form No. 1 (Red)
REGISTRAR’S REPORT [29 3-10-C]
DESCRIPTION OF REGISTRANT
Height: Tall (checked). Build: Slender (checked). Color of eyes: Gray. Color of hair: Brown.
29. Has person lost arm, leg, hand, eye, or is he obviously physically disqualified? (Specify.) No
30. I certify that my answers are true; that the person registered has read or has had read to him his own answers; that I have witnessed his signature or mark, and that all of his answers of which I have knowledge are true, except as follows: [blank]
Maude Heaks [?] (Signature of Registrar)
Date of Registration: 9/9/18
LOCAL BOARD NO. 1, PUBLIC LIBRARY BLDG., EAST CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY. (Stamp of Local Board)
Parker’s Sudden Death
Undetermined Newspaper —
Stricken with hemhorrages, Horace B. Parker, a motorman of the Public Service Railway, died at his home at 2702 Westfield avenue, before medical aid could be summoned on Saturday and Coroner Pratt gave a certificate of death. Three small children survive him as orphans, his wife having died three years ago.
Parker was 33 years old and his children are two girls, ages 9 and 12 years, and a boy of 8 years. He operated a car on the Pensauken line. He was formerly a well known ball player and was a member of the Alpha Club.
The funeral will be held tomorrow morning with solemn requiem mass being celebrated at St. Joseph’s Church at nine o’clock. Burial will be made in Arlington Cemetery in charge of Undertakers Joseph H. Murray & Son. He was a member of Camden Aerie, No. 65, Fraternal Order of Eagles, members of which will view the remains tonight.
Horace Parker
Horace Parker, thirty-two, of 2702 Westfield av., Camden, a motorman, died yesterday of hemorrhage of the lungs. He was about to enter a bath when stricken. His wife died three years ago. Three children survive.
PARKER’S SUDDEN DEATH
Horace B. Parker, a well known employee of the Public Service Corporation died suddenly at his home, 2702 Westfield avenue on Saturday following a hemorrhage. Death occurred in a very short period. The funeral will take place tomorrow morning at 8.00 o’clock with Solemn Raquiem Mass at 9.00 o’clock at St. Josephs R. C. Church.
Death Notices
Philadelphia Inquirer —
PARKER.—May 17, HORACE B., son of Margaret and the late Horace Parker, aged 33. Relatives and friends, also Camden Aerie, No. 65, F. O. of E., and employees of Public Service Co., are invited to attend funeral, Tues., 8 A. M., from his late residence, 2702 Westfield ave., Camden, N. J. Solemn requiem mass at St. Joseph’s Church, 9 A. M. Int. private. Arlington Cem. Friends may call Mon. eve.
PARKER—On May 17, 1919, Horace B., son of Margaret and the late Horace Parker, Sr., aged 33 years. Relatives and friends, Camden Aerie, No. 65, F. O. of E., and employes of the Public Service Railway Department are invited to attend the funeral, on Tuesday morning, May 20th, at 8 o’clock, from his late residence 2702 Westfield Ave., Camden. Solemn requiem mass at St. Joseph’s Church, 9 a. m. Interment private at Arlington Cemetery. Friends may call Monday evening.
PARKER.—May 17, HORACE B., son of Margaret and late Horace Parker, aged 33. Relatives and friends, Camden Aerie, No. 65, F. O. of E.; employes Public Service Co., invited to funeral, Tues., 8 A. M., 2702 Westfield av., Camden, N. J. Solemn Requiem Mass, St. Joseph’s Church, 9 A. M. Int. private. Arlington Cem. Friends may call Mon. eve.
Popular Ball Player Buried from St. Josephs
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Horace Parker a well known base ball and basket ball player of Camden was laid at rest yesterday in Arlington Cemetery. Horace was the pitcher on the well known Broadway A. C. base ball club and also played guard on the champion Camden Electric basket ball team of 1906–07–08–09, which team made such wonderful record of losing one game which was to the Camden first team at the old school hall at Fourth and Division streets. The team that Horace played on was composed of the following players: Russel Blackburne, forward; Louis Urban, forward; Frank Eames, centre; Louis Ballinger, guard; Horace Parker, guard; Earl Scott, guard. The deceased lived at 2702 Westfield avenue. Requiem mass was sung at St. Joseph’s Church, in East Camden, this morning.
Death of Margaret Donnelly Parker
Camden Courier-Post —
PARKER—On Sept. 21, 1964, Margaret of 2702 Westfield ave., Camden, N.J., age 98 years. Relatives and friends of the family, also members of the Altar & Rosary Society of St. Joseph Procathedral are invited to attend the funeral on Friday at 9 a.m., at the Eichel Funeral Home, 60 S. 27th st., Camden, N.J. Requiem high Mass at St. Joseph Procathedral, 29th and Federal sts., Camden, N.J., at 10 a.m. Friends may call Thursday evening.
SCIAMANNA—On Sept. 22, 1964, Matilda (nee Clemente), wife of Giacinto of 328 Line st., Camden, N.J., age 80 years. Relatives and
Elizabeth D. Grapewine
Undetermined New York Newspaper —
The funeral for Elizabeth Donnelly Grapewine of 38-12 32nd street, Astoria, will be held at 9:30 A.M. tomorrow from the Dolan chapel, 39-49 29th street, Astoria.
A requiem mass will be offered at 10 A.M. in St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, Astoria. Burial will be in Arlington Cemetery, Camden, N. J.
Mrs. Grapewine died Tuesday in Astoria General Hospital after a brief illness. She was 71. Born in Philadelphia, she lived in Queens for 25 years. She was the widow of Frank C. Grapewine, who died in 1934.
Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Fay Dellernann of Astoria, and Mrs. Pearl Deis of Sunnyside, and a sister, Mrs. Margaret Parker of Camden.