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The Life of General Ely S. Parker
Excerpt from The Life of General Ely S. Parker
Mr. Parker's sketch of his great-uncle is, obviously and successfully, an attempt not merely to trace that worthy's creditable and unique career, but to do justice to his memory.
Mr. Parker's sketch of his great-uncle is, obviously and successfully, an attempt not merely to trace that worthy's creditable and unique career, but to do justice to his memory.
418 pages, Paperback
First published September 12, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 5, 2021
I first learned of Ely S Parker (ESP) from my friend who is a professor of Native American Studies. When the Wikipedia entry about him piqued my interest, I found this book to read.
Written in 1919 by Parker’s grand nephew Arthur C Parker (ACP) I would agree with another Goodreads reviewer who opined that the book is ‘....more of a family history/memoir than a biography.’ In doing so the author placed the General in the context of three other things. First, in describing the General’s grandparents and parents ACP provided a lot of history of the Iroquois Confederacy from the late 18th until the mid 19th centuries of which the Senecas nation was a member. For example, such important Iroquois leaders as Joseph Brant, Handsome Lake, and Red Jacket were discussed. Second, the author also shared some of the cultural practices, myths, and spiritual beliefs of the Seneca. Third, information about ESP’s siblings was alluded to at various points in the book. And there was a complete chapter on ESP’s brother Nicholson, who was ACP’s grandfather.
To its credit The Life was based upon a comprehensive review of primary sources like personal correspondence, governmental documents, speeches, etc. For those readers who like to delve deeply into such material these were well organized into an Appendix of 79 pages and Editorial Notes of 24 pages. Although most of the time this information was integrated into a readable narrative, occasionally the quotations were so lengthy as to become tedious. Finally, numerous reproductions of portraits and photos were provided throughout the book.
ACP’s narration and the General’s competence in speaking and writing in English demonstrated that he was thoroughly bilingual and bicultural. Thus, it is not surprising that he was quite accomplished in both the Seneca world and that of the White man. In the former ESP was chosen to become a Sachem (chief) at the age of 18. In the latter that Grant employed him as an aide during the Civil War and as the first NA Commissioner of Indian Affairs during his presidency. But ACP failed to make more than a few brief allusions to the prejudice and enmity that the General must have encountered through his adult life. And he made it appear as if the General was not really troubled much by these experiences. In this respect the book reads more like a testimonial by an admiring nephew than a historical treatise.
Even with these limitations I would recommend General ESP for those wanting to learn about an Native American who led an interesting life and played a significant, albeit unsung and forgotten, role on the Northern side of the US Civil War and in the early years of Grant’s presidency.
Written in 1919 by Parker’s grand nephew Arthur C Parker (ACP) I would agree with another Goodreads reviewer who opined that the book is ‘....more of a family history/memoir than a biography.’ In doing so the author placed the General in the context of three other things. First, in describing the General’s grandparents and parents ACP provided a lot of history of the Iroquois Confederacy from the late 18th until the mid 19th centuries of which the Senecas nation was a member. For example, such important Iroquois leaders as Joseph Brant, Handsome Lake, and Red Jacket were discussed. Second, the author also shared some of the cultural practices, myths, and spiritual beliefs of the Seneca. Third, information about ESP’s siblings was alluded to at various points in the book. And there was a complete chapter on ESP’s brother Nicholson, who was ACP’s grandfather.
To its credit The Life was based upon a comprehensive review of primary sources like personal correspondence, governmental documents, speeches, etc. For those readers who like to delve deeply into such material these were well organized into an Appendix of 79 pages and Editorial Notes of 24 pages. Although most of the time this information was integrated into a readable narrative, occasionally the quotations were so lengthy as to become tedious. Finally, numerous reproductions of portraits and photos were provided throughout the book.
ACP’s narration and the General’s competence in speaking and writing in English demonstrated that he was thoroughly bilingual and bicultural. Thus, it is not surprising that he was quite accomplished in both the Seneca world and that of the White man. In the former ESP was chosen to become a Sachem (chief) at the age of 18. In the latter that Grant employed him as an aide during the Civil War and as the first NA Commissioner of Indian Affairs during his presidency. But ACP failed to make more than a few brief allusions to the prejudice and enmity that the General must have encountered through his adult life. And he made it appear as if the General was not really troubled much by these experiences. In this respect the book reads more like a testimonial by an admiring nephew than a historical treatise.
Even with these limitations I would recommend General ESP for those wanting to learn about an Native American who led an interesting life and played a significant, albeit unsung and forgotten, role on the Northern side of the US Civil War and in the early years of Grant’s presidency.
November 1, 2018
A little boring at times and it talks more about his native American history than his life, but it is the only one that tells about his long life. He was the last grand sachem, which is a chief of the six nations of the Iroquois, and the assistant of general u s Grant in the last two years of the civil war.
November 3, 2022
Part history and part family biography, Parker’s work combines anecdotal stories about Ely’s life and factual information. Arthur Parker’s works are historical records of Haudenosaunee culture during the 19th Century.
I found this work fascinating as it is my own family history.
I found this work fascinating as it is my own family history.
May 29, 2015
More of a family memoir/study of General Parker than a biography. There are extensive appendix/notes at the end of the book which contains all the related material. My downloaded pdf version had significant trouble with the formatting leaving portions unreadable.
Parker was certainly admirable (his command of the English language was incredible). This recounting of his life leaves an amazing impression of the sachem thoroughl committed to peace with the whites and adopting their ways when necessary. His friendship with General Grant leading to his commissioning into the Civil War had a great deal to do with his advancement in Washington and post war government.
Parker was certainly admirable (his command of the English language was incredible). This recounting of his life leaves an amazing impression of the sachem thoroughl committed to peace with the whites and adopting their ways when necessary. His friendship with General Grant leading to his commissioning into the Civil War had a great deal to do with his advancement in Washington and post war government.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews