Edwin Parmele Biography >From "History of Davenport and Scott County" Vol. II by Harry E. Downer-S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago. Surnames: Parmele, Treat, Peterson, Jamison. Edwin Parmele, deceased, who is numbered among Davenport's earliest settlers, was born in Cattaraugus county, New York, and in 1838 arrived at the small town on the Mississippi then known as Rockingham, which gave little prophecy of the thriving city into which it has since grown. The journey was made in a flatboat in company with his father and mother and four brothers. His father was Moses Parmele and his mother was a Miss Treat before her marriage. The five sons were as follows: Henry, Walter, Edwin, William and James, the three first named being now deceased. Until the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion Edwin Parmele earned his livelihood by farming. He was interested in his life work by this great crisis in national affairs and after its termination he began dealing in farm implements, in which he enjoyed no small amount of success. He became representative, or general agent, for a large concern and was well known throughout a wide territory into which his business took him. Mr. Parmele passed on to his reward some years ago, his death occurring March 13, 1887, but his wife is still living in Davenport. These worthy people were the parents of four children, three sons and one daughter. They are F. M., a dentist; William M., superintendent for a paint company; Myrtle, now Mrs. E. J. G. Peterson; and Edwin T., commercial manager of the Iowa Telephone Company. Edwin T. Parmele is a native of Davenport, having first seen the light of day April 24, 1870, and his education was received in Davenport's excellent schools. In 1890, when he had scarcely attained his majority, he took up the study of the telephone business and became so well versed in it that he served in various capacities, each being an advance upon its predecessor. Beginning at the bottom and asking only a fair filed and no favors he has by sheer force of ability climbed to his present responsible position of commercial manager, and his efficiency and worthiness are recognized in the business world. Edwin T. Parmele was married October 10, 1900, to Miss Ella J. Jamison. Their home at 1322 Bridge avenue is brightened by the presence of one child, a daughter, Martha J. Mr. Parmele as a descendent of one of Davenport's pioneers is able to feel more than the usual sense of proprietorship in the fair city in which he has always made his home. ~~~~~~*~~~~~~ Elaine Rathmann ACC Scott Co, IA USGenWeb Project List Adm: *IA-CIVIL-WAR *IA-DANES