Charles H. Parker (1864-1918)

    Near as we can tell Mitchell DeClerck’s roots in Enid, Oklahoma can be traced back to September 16, 1893, when Charles Parker came to Enid on the train for the Land Run of 1893.  Also known as the Cherokee Strip Land Run, the Land Run of 1893 marked the opening to settlement of the Cherokee Outlet in what would become the state of Oklahoma.  The run began at noon on September 16, 1893, with more than 100,000 participants hoping to claim land.

    We don’t know exactly when Mr. Parker opened his law practice in Enid but until someone who was there tells us otherwise, we think that shortly after September 16, 1893, the predecessor of Mitchell DeClerck first opened its doors.  Or more likely its tent flap.

Charles Parker

    The following extract from an article by Enid lawyer and historian Garry Brown entitled “Enid Attorneys Helped Shape Our History” tells of our beginning:
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                                           Parker & Simons Law Firm

    Another pioneer Enid attorney, Charles Parker, rode the train in from Caldwell (Kansas) the day of the land run with the intent of establishing a law practice in Enid. He was one of the few original land run lawyers that would stay and build a practice in Enid.  At statehood in 1907 he was selected to serve on the first Bar Examination Board for the State of Oklahoma and served on that board for a number of years. Parker was also appointed special referee by the Supreme Court to settle several County seat disputes including the infamous Creek County dispute between Sapulpa and Bristow.

   Parker was joined in law practice in 1906 by P. C. Simons, who had just completed a term as Oklahoma Territorial Attorney General.  The Parker & Simons firm represented many of Enid’s early day business men, including H. H. Champlin.  Their firm grew in stature and was the only Enid firm listed in the prestigious Hubbell’s Law Directory in 1918, the year of Parker’s death.  After Parker’s death, P. C. Simons invited a young attorney, recently moved from Anadarko, by the name of Louie McKnight to join him in practice.  Later Earl Mitchell was added as partner and from that partnership sprang two of Enid’s most distinguished law firms, Mitchell & DeClerck and McKnight & Gasaway.

                      Available on  http://www.enidhistory.org/
                      at http://www.brownlaw-ok.com/enidhistory/articles/attorneys.pdf

    The earliest reported case we can find in Garfield County involving our partner Charles H. Parker began as a dispute over a homestead claim in 1893 that ultimately worked its way the the Supreme Court of Oklahoma Territory in 1901, Cope v. Braden, 1901 OK 59.

​    Mr. Parker's obituary appeared in the The Enid Events. (Enid, Okla.), Vol. 25, No. 42, Ed. 1 on Thursday, July 25, 1918.
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OBITUARY
CHARLES H. PARKER
1864-1918
    Funeral services were conducted by Rev. W. R. Dodd of the Presbyterian Church and the following were pall bearers:  Honorary:  J. B. Cullison, J. C. Robberts. M. C. Garber, Newton Barwell, John F. Curran, H. J. Sturgis.  The active pall bearers were:  H. O. Glasser, A. L. Zinner, Judge Hurtt, R. E. Smith, T. B. Wilson, Frederick Briml.
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                                                            In Memoriam.

    Charles Henry Parker was born in Mansfield, Ohio, December 27, 1864, and passed this life July [17], 1918.

    He was married to Lulu Darrough at Pond Creek, March 15, 1899, and to their union were born Mary Emma and Charles Hubert Parker, ages 17 and 12, respectively.

    His wife and children survive him; also his mother, Nancy M. Parker; his brother, Dr. George M., and sister, Mary C. Parker of New York City; an uncle, E. E. Parker, of St. Paul and an aunt, Mrs. Mary Parker Bell, of Wichita, Kansas.  His father, Professor Henry M. Parker preceded him in June 1904, at his home in Elyria, Ohio.  His wife and children and aunt were with him when the end came.

  His early boyhood and manhood days were spent in Elyria, where he received his high school education, later attending Oberlin College and then taking up the study of law.  He came to Wichita, Kansas in the fall of 1887 and was admitted to the bar in 1890 and from there came to Enid on the day of the opening of the Cherokee Strip, September 16, 1893, where he has since practiced his profession and grown as a lawyer and been identified with Enid, always taking a keen interest in everything that pertained to her growth and welfare.

    Charlie, as he was familiarly known to his friends, was a man of high ideals, strong in his convictions of right and wrong, of a jovial disposition, true to his friends, devoted as husband and father to his family, their every wish his greatest happiness to bestow.  His dealings with his fellow men were always on the most honorable lane and he has been greatly missed on our streets by his friends since his illness.  He made his fight for life with the same valor that he always did for his clientage, but realizing he could not win, expressed himself as “ready to go.”

                                                            Resolutions.

    The following are the resolutions of the Garfield County Bar Association:

   Whereas, in special meeting convened, the Bar Association of Garfield County, has received with profound sorrow the announcement of the death of Charles H. Parker and as a mark of respect to his memory; it is resolved,

   That in the death of Charles H. Parker, the city, county and state has lost a most valuable and useful citizen; his family, a kind father and devoted husband;

   That through his untiring industry, thoroughness of preparation, and fairness in presentation, he won the admiration and confidence of the courts and the high success achieved in his profession.  He was generally conceded to rank as one of the foremost lawyers of the state.  In his cases more largely than any other member, perhaps, he contributed more useful and helpful information to the courts in their administration of the law;

  That he became distinguished for his ability, his dignity, his integrity, and kindness towards his professional brothers and towards the courts in which he appeared.  By his daily practice he elevated the profession and became [a] most worthy example for the members of our association;

   That his cheerful disposition, sociability, and fairness radiated happiness and confidence to all, as his courage and fortitude in facing the inevitable won their admiration;

  That the members of this association extend to the bereaved members of his family this meagre expression of gratitude and sympathy and the consolation that his achievements will be [permanently] recorded and preserved in our records;

  That a copy hereof be delivered to the press of the state, to the family, and to the archives for preservation.

    Dated this 20th day of July, 1918.

                                                  JAMES B. CULLISON,
                                                  J. C. ROBBERTS,
                                                  NEWTON BURWELL,
                                                  W. A. GRAVES,
                                                  JOHN F. CURRAN,
                                                  M. C. GARBER,
                                                  Members of the Committee

                                                  Approved by James W. Steen
                                                  President of the Association
 
     The Enid Events. (Enid, Okla.), Vol. 25, No. 42, Ed. 1 Thursday, July 25, 1918
     Found at http://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc161472/m1/13/
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Mr. Parker is buried in the Enid Cemetery, Enid, Oklahoma.
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