American public servant (1878–1953)
Gabriel Edward Parker[1] (September 29, 1878 – May 8, 1953) was an American public servant. Native to the state of Oklahoma, he attended the 1906 Oklahoma Constitutional Convention and was heavily involved in the design of the state's seal. Parker was later Register of the Treasury (1913-1914) and superintendent of the Five Civilized Tribes (1915-1921).
Biography
Perker was born on September 29, 1878[2] in Fort Towson, Oklahoma in the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.[3] Parker was reported to have been one-eighth Chocktaw.[4] The following year he moved to Nelson, Oklahoma.[1] He graduated in 1894 from Spencer Academy and entered Henry Kendall College, graduating five years later.[3]
Parker first worked as a teacher at Spencer Academy and Armstrong Academy. In 1906 he attended the 1906 Oklahoma Constitutional Convention, where the states constitution was developed. As a member of the convention, Parker led design of the Seal of Oklahoma, earning the nickname "Great Seal Parker". Parker later served as Register of the Treasury from 1913 to 1914. His appointment was reported as marking the first time a Native American held the post.[5]
From 1915 to 1921 he was superintendent of the Five Civilized Tribes in Oklahoma. He was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1932.[3]
Parker died from a heart attack at his home in Oklahoma City on May 8, 1953, a few hours after hearing of his son's death from a heart attack in England on the same day.[6]
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