from FAG member Mel Fletcher:
Orville Francis PARMETER born 31 May 1840 in China, Kennebec, Maine
Died 9 September 1930 in South Bend, Pacific, Washington
Married to Sarah TAYLOR, 7 December 1864
son of Draper Parmeter & Eliza Soule

Orville F. Parmeter
History of Montana,by Joaquin Miller, 1894
USGENWEB Montana Archives,maintained by [email protected]

Orville F. Parmeter, another one of Sheridan's successful merchants, has been a
resident of Montana since 1867.Mr. Parmeter was born in China, Kennebec County,
Maine, May 31, 1840, a descendant of English ancestry, who were among the early
settlers of Massuchusetts. Both his paternal and maternal grandfathers fought in
the Revolution.Grandfather Caleb Parmeter was born in Massachusetts. After his
service in the Revolution he settled in the state of Maine, where he spent the
residue of his life on a farm and where he died at the age of eighty years. His
wife was seventy-six at the time of her death. They left a family of five
children, one of whom, Draper Parmeter, the father of Orville, was born in
Massachusetts in 1803. He married Eliza Soule, a native of Maine, born in 1806,
and a daughter of Peleg Soule, who served as an officer in the Continental army
during the Revolution. This Peleg Soule was a descendant of John Soule who
landed from the Mayflower at Plymouth Rock. Draper Parmeter and his wife had a
family of five children, all of whom are living.
In 1856 they removed to Wisconsin, where soon after the father's death occurred,
and from whence in 1858 the rest of the family removed to Woodford County,
Illinois. The mother survived unti 1892, when she died at the age of
eighty-six.. Orville F. Parmeter, the youngest in the family, was sixteen years
of age when they left Maine and went to Wisconsin. He was in Illinois when the
Civil War broke upon the country in all its fury, and inspired by the same
spirit that actuated his Revolutionary grandsires, he responded to Mr. Lincoln's
call for volunteers to put down the rebellion, and in July 1861, he became a
member of Company I, Forty-seventh Illinois Volumteer Infantry. He served with
his regiment in the Western Department, participating in the battle of Shiloh,
the engagement at Island No. 10, the Vicksburg campaign and the Red River
expedition. Twice he was slightly wounded and he had many close calls, but he
escaped all serious injury and was mustered out of the service at Springfield,
Illinois, in November, 1864.After his return from the army, Mr. Parmeter was in
the grocery and hotel business until 1867, at which time he decided to try his
fortune in Montana. His journey hither from the Missouri River was made on foot.
Upon his arrival in Montana, he located in Boulder Valley and for nearly three
years was engaged in placer mining. In 1869 he came toRuby Valley and located a
ranch which he afterward sold and with the proceeds purchased another farm a
mile and a half northeast of Sheridan. There he was for a number of years
successfully engaged in raising cattle and horses. In 1886 he sold his stock and
ranch and embarked in the mercantile business at Sheridan, being in partnership
with Henry Elling and others up to 1893, at which time he severed his connection
with the firm and organized the Sheridan Mercantile Company, with Mr. T.
Bentolighter as his partner, Mr. Parmeter, however, being the active member of
the firm. They kept a large stock of general merchandise, much of which they
wholesale through the various mining camps.Mr. Parmeter is also quite largely
interested in mines and mining. Since coming to Sheridan he has taken an active
interest in the growth and improvement of the incorporation of it as a city,
which occurred in October 1893. To him belongs the distinction of being its
first Mayor..Mr. Parmeter was married December 7, 1864 to Sarah Taylor, a native
of Illiinois and a daughter of Sidney Taylor. They have three children: Herbert,
who is employed in his father's store; Emma, wife of Alexander Nesbit, of
Sheridan; and Helen, who is at home with her parents. Mr. Parmeter built their
present home in Sheridan. Ever since the organization of the Republican party he
has given it his support. In 1886 he was elected Assessor of Madison County and
served one term. He has passed all the chairs on both branches of Oddfellowship,
is Past Master of the A.O. U.W. and is Commander of Custer Post, No. 5, G.A.R.
Thoroughly informed upon all general topics, genial and courteous in his manner,
and a businessman of the highest integrity, Mr. Parmeter is justly ranked with
the leading citizens of Sheridan.