- Erie County -

Obituary & Death Notices

Veteran Lake Captain
And Ship Master
Dies At Buffalo Home

CAPT. ROBERT F. PARSONS, who for more than 55 years has been prominent as ship master in the passenger service on the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean, died at his home, 820 West avenue, Saturday evening after an illness of a little over a year. Death was due to a complication of diseases.

CAPTAIN PARSONS was born in the northern part of England, 68 years ago and at the age of two came with his parents to this country and settled in a little hamlet 30 miles south of Detroit. He received his early education in the public schools of Detroit and when 12 years old was hired as deck hand on a sailing vessel going between Detroit and Buffalo. After this he made Buffalo his home. When he was 17 years old he began a trip around the world and returned two years later. He married Miss MARY GALVIN of Buffalo and short time afterwards was employed as quartermaster on Atlantic Ocean passenger sailing ships. After three years he was made captain of the steamer City of Traverse, which coursed between Duluth and Chicago and retained his position for many years. In 1893 he became owner and captain of the lake passenger steamer Nyack. He was employed as captain of more than a score of lake passenger steamers in the course of his career, but about 18 years ago resigned his position on account of old age.

Aside from his connection with the lake and ocean passenger traffic CAPTAIN PARSONS actively interested in the development of the oil fields of Pennsylvania. He made successful strikes at Parker's Landing, Bradford and Foxburg. It was CAPTAIN PARSONS who gave the town of Modock the name which it now bears, being one of the oldest and wealthiest residents in that town.

From 1900 to 1908 he was actively engaged in the real estate business in Buffalo, having offices in the D. S. Morgan Building and at 120 Franklin street. He was also president, promoter, and chief stockholder of the Buffalo and Williamsville Electric Railway Co. CAPTAIN PARSONS was very well known in social and fraternal circles and at the time of his death was a member of the Royal Arcanum Association of Western New York and the Great Lakes Ship Masters' Association. The funeral will be held from the family residence, 820 West avenue, Tuesday morning at 8:30 o'clock and from the Church of the Nativity at 9 o'clock. Rev. DANIEL WALSH will be in charge of the services at the church and interment will be at Holy Cross cemetery, Limestone Hill. The deceased is survived by his wife, MARY PARSONS, and six children: CAPTAIN ROBERT C. EDWARD, MINNIE and LORETTA PARSONS, Mrs. J. T. WEAVER, and Mrs. W. H. PARKER.

Buffalo Evening News - October 30, 1911