HISTORY OF ADELIA COOLEY -- From the Parker-Ross Memoirs
“IT IS GOOD TO BE WELL BORN”
Life story of Adelia Cooley Parker
Written by Malvina P. Baird,
Draper, Utah
Adelia Cooley Parker, born March 11, 1874 in Kanosh, Millard Co., Utah, was the daughter of Frances Isabell Rodeback and
Osborn Benjamin Cooley - early pioneers who suffered many hardships in the settlement of Utah.
She was the 5th child of 12 children and was born in very meager circumstances. Her home was a log house, the furniture was hand made, but even so they were comfortable. Love and affection prevailed, which is the making of any home. The crops were planted, but the grasshoppers devoured everything. It was then that another move was made. The Cooley family moved to Joseph City in Sevier Co., Utah, situated on the magnificent Sevier River, which was named for John Sevier, Pioneer explorer of that area. It must have been a hunting paradise for the Piute Indians. Having decided to make this their home they bought a farm and home - a frame building - and soon became comfortably fixed. The~ had no luxuries but what they had was good. Many and varied were their experiences in Joseph City where they lived for 16 years. They were active in the ward and civic affairs and held positions of trust in the community. They were among the leading citizens of the town. Adelia grew up in a home that was well disciplined, with love and affection for each other. She saw many happy days in our beloved town of Joseph, until the Lord called her home. She went to school in the little log school house that stood on the public square. It served as their place of worship and was also where all public meetings and entertainments of the community were held. In 1904 a brick school house was built and now stands today east of the beautiful Ward Chapel.
THE WOMAN MY FATHER MARRIED
Her name was Adelia Cooley. She was a pretty young lady going to school and had that coveted school girl complexion, hazel eyes, and long braids of dark brown hair. She was a girl that knew her own mind and was free to express herself in her home. Adelia was of a studious nature and loved good books and received good marks in her school work.
She was baptized by Gideon A. Murdoch, on the 25th of June, 1882, in the Sevier River, and confirmed by Samuel Wells Sr. Now came a test to Adelia’s character, sincerity, and faith. A big decision was to be made. At this particular time in the Church plural wives was in force. A principle of the gospel that was revealed to Joseph Smith Jr., our Latter-day Prophet, soon after the church was organized. Ht was the principle of Celestial Marriage. My father, being a devout man and of good principles, was advised by men of authority, holding the Melchizedek Priest¬hood, to take a plural wife. My father being obedient to the advice given him, counseled with his first wife (Aunt Mary we caged her) on this subject. Together they prayed and each prayed alone in secret for wisdom to know and to be guided in what was right for them to do. They believed and were inspired through their faith that they could live that principle. The Lord gave them peace of mind and assurance that it was all right. Aunt Mary, faithful as she was, gave her consent for her husband to look for a girl that was favorable to them both. In their prayers they had asked the Lord to guide them.
Photo 46: FAMILY OF JOSEPH F. AND ADELIA COOLEY PARKER Top row: Malvina Parker Baird, Joseph F., Adelia Cooley Parker, Byron Nelson Parker. Bottom row: Ariel F., Marie Parker Larson, Florence Adelia P. Sylvester.
Among the young ladies of the commu¬nity in which they lived, it was decided in my father’s heart and mind that Adelia Cooley was the girl of his choice, since she came from parents that were faithful, honest, stable individuals, steadfast in their callings. My father went to her parents and counseled with them on this matter. Grandfather Cooley said “We will have a talk with her and see what she has to say. It is a grave question for a girl to decide on.”
After they had talked things over in the family and between themselves, a lot of ex¬plaining done and tears shed a plenty over the question, she went in secret prayer to the Lord about it for herself. She wanted wis¬dom to know what to do, being anxious to do the right thing. Her prayers were answered.
She felt within her heart and mind that she should be his plural wife and told him that she would. She hadn’t thought of loving him as a sweetheart, he being an older man and with children, but she respected him for the man he was and she had peace of mind con¬cerning it. She didn’t know until now that her sister Malvina had already accepted the principle of celestial marriage and also her father was considering it. Father, knowing that she had accepted him now made plans for their wedding day, everything being done very quietly to avoid trouble with the law enforcement officers. In a group with others they went to Salt Lake City in a covered wa¬gon and went to the Endowment House on Temple Square and on the 11th of June 1889 were sealed to each other for time and eter¬nity. Love and affection prevailed between them. Father had won the girl of his choice. The Lord had guided him and like the proph¬ets of old the Lord did bless him. To avoid the officers mother went to live with her sister Emily C. Wells out in Cleveland, Emery Co., Utah. She lived with them when her first child was born on the 27th of May, 1891. They named her Malvina, the same as her sister Malvina C. Prows. There were others that were living this principle and would help those that were doing the same. The Lord had respect for Father and Mother for he was going to send them another baby, Ada Lavern. It was then that father decided to take mother to a home of her own in Joseph City, Sevier Co., Utah. It was a rock home that was once the Joseph Co-op store. A lean-to was built on the west side for mother to live in while the store was being moved elsewhere. In so doing, the officers, watching closely arrested father. He had to go to Provo and in court testified that he had taken a plural wife. On Tuesday Dec. 5, 1893 in the First District Court of Provo, Joseph F. Par¬ker was sentenced to 4 months imprisonment for polygamy. In 1894, on Friday March 16th, Joseph F. Parker was discharged from the Penitentiary. Before he left, some one there asked him if he was going to give up his plural wife and he answered “No I am not. I am going to keep her and take care of both families.” He returned home and had two happy families to greet him. He said his experiences in the penitentiary was not half bad at all. He would do it again for the same girl and the same principle if it was necessary. He is counted now among other Saints of the church who went through the same treat¬ment. Like the apostle of our day and like those of olden times, he was valiant. Aunt Mary (his first wife) in talking to her family told the girls, “It wasn’t the principle that was wrong, it is the way we live it!” Bless her heart for saying this. Adelia, through fasting and prayer received her testimony that she had done the right thing. She put her arms around his neck and told him she loved him and was happy she hadn’t missed the chance of being his plural wife. Adelia Cooley Par¬ker was the 2nd and plural wife of Joseph Faulkner Parker, living in Joseph, Sevier Co., Utah. His 1st wife was Mary Elizabeth Ross by whom he had 11 children. (See family record) Adelia and Joseph Faulkner Parker were the parents of 6 children as follows:
- MALVINA PARKER, born May 27, 1891, Cleveland, Emery Co., Utah
- ADA LAVERN PARKER, born Sept. 22, 1893, Joseph, Sevier Co., Utah
- ARIEL F. PARKER, born Aug. 28, 1895, Joseph, Sevier Co., Utah
- FRANCES MARIE PARKER, born Oct. 11, 1897, Joseph, Sevier Co., Utah
- FLORENCE ADELIA PARKER, born 11 Mar. 1874, Joseph, Sevier Co., Utah
- BYRON NELSON PARKER, born Oct. 16, 1901, Joseph, Sevier Co., Utah
At the age of 28 years, in 1902, she was called by Sister Lydia C. Wells, who was then president of the Joseph Ward Relief Society, to take the class in obstetrics. The nurses school was sponsored by the General Board of the Relief Society in Salt Lake City,
Utah. Drs. Ellis Shipp and Middleton were the instructors. Upon completion of the course she was blessed and set apart for her calling in Obstetrics and Nursing. She was graduated in 1903 and her records show she brought close to a hundred babies into the world. She went far and near any time she was called to help those in need whether it was winter or summer. She nursed the wom¬en in their home for 10 days or longer if it was necessary and was paid $5.00 for 10 days nursing at first. Then the price was raised to $10.00 for 10 days. In her blessing she was promised success in her work and this prom¬ise was fulfilled because she never lost a pa¬tient in all her practice. Every baby was well delivered and the mother was well taken care of. She was a qualified nurse and midwife with a prayer always in her heart. She never at any time depended on her own judgment and was always humble in giving credit to our Father in Heaven for her success. She not only left her impression upon her family but also upon the community in which she lived. Adelia Cooley Parker died January 6, 1908 just a young woman at the age of 33. As she lived so she died, ever faithful, kind and true. God called her to her heavenly home, there to begin her sweet life anew. After Adelia’s death the family then lived in our home with Aunt Mary until her death Octo¬ber 22, 1909, at the age of 64 years. She was a kind mother to us and gave us the love we needed.
Oh mother of mine, with love sublime,
how I cherish your dear name.
Thou has taught me from my youth
Faith in God and gospel truths.
From your gentle hand in training
You have given me fortitude.
For these blessings I am grateful
Thank You Heaven for my mother.
V. B.
Even though this is a story about my mother, I would like to include some remarks about my father in tribute to him and about our family. Our father Joseph Faulkner Par¬ker was born April 7, 1841 in Palmyra, Mari¬on Co., Mo. He lived to 94 years of age, passing away January 14, 1936.
Many and varied were the experiences of the Parker families. Life to them was not dull around home, you can bet on that. We enjoyed going on the mountain with Daddy to look after the cattle. We enjoyed going to dances, missionary benefit parties where pa¬pas organ was carried across the street to the dance hall and used to play for the dances. Our brother Bill would play the organ and brother John played his violin and our bro¬ther Bryant joining in with the Banjo. Father would do step dancing and recite Dutch pieces such as “Shocky and the Blue Hen Chicken,” “The Dutchman and the Cat” and “The Dutchman and the Red Hot Pep¬pers”. There were several other pieces that we enjoyed very much and will never be forgotten. Our sisters Amy and Marie and Alta could recite pieces by the yard and the boys and girls sang lovely together. No, life in the Parker Families was not dull. Our father’s larger education was self acquired through his love for reading. Right up to the end he kept himself thoroughly informed on all matters political, religious, and the social welfare of the community. He had a genu¬ine affection for children. Both of his homes were the constant visiting place of his neigh¬bors children. He was charitable in his na¬ture. The friendless, the poor and the needy found in him a kindly helper and no one that was hungry or thirsty ever went away from his door unrefreshed. He was considerate in all his dealings with men and he endeared himself to all.
“Thank you heaven for our father” for being strong
for being honest
for enduring hardships for great courage
for your stout heart
for your firm belief in God
for your fervant prayers for your spirituality
thank you for our mother
thank you for our name.”
A TRIBUTE TO OUR MOTHER
By Frances Marie Parker
They called her an angel in heaven above.
They called her a queen below.
And this fair damsel, the sweetest on earth,
Was my Mother, most sure.
Her auburn hair; her soft gray eyes,
And a smile no one could compare;
A radiant soul just beaming with love;
The truest friend I ever had;
She was my mother, most sure.
The Lord bless and keep my memory of her
Always aglow in my heart,
And help me to live more like her each day
As I sojourn here upon earth.
And when I meet her beyond the blue skies,
In her mansion in heaven above,
May H be worthy of her fond embrace
And join with worthy there in that heavenly place
To be with my Mother, most sure.
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