Melisse Parker
March 17, 1918; Oregonian, p 52
"Nehalem Pioneer Passes"

   Mrs. Melisse Parker was born in Vance County, Kentucky, in 1840 and died at the home of her son, George, at Vernonia, Feb. 14, 1918.  She leaves six sons and one daughter, Julia Van Blaricom, Francis and John Parker, of Portland; George, Newton, Andy and Albert, of Vernonia.
   She came to Oregon with her husband in 1873, moving to the Nehalem Valley in 1874, being the first settlers.  They took a homestead near where Vernonia now stands and raised a family of nine children.
   In 1910 they moved to Portland, where her husband, Clarke Parker, died a few years later.  Last Fall Mrs. Parker came to Vernonia and visited among her three sons.  She lived in perfect health, having passed away as she slept.