This cache is located along the Galena River Trail. Please read the cache listing for GC12W8G Galena River Trail for information on the trail.
Brevet Brigadier General Ely Samuel Parker was born in 1828 in Indian Falls, New York. Parker was a Native American of Seneca descent. In the late 1840s Parker began his study of law, but was unable to gain admittance to the New York Bar. At the time, Native Americans were not considered U.S. citizens. Ely switched his studies to become an engineer instead. In 1852 Parker was proclaimed the Grand Sachem of the Iroquois Nation. During this time, Parker began a career as an engineer, doing various canal works in New York. His engineer work eventually brought him to Galena in 1857 to superintend the construction of the Marine Hospital and Post Offices/Custom Houses in Galena and Dubuque. It is during this time he made important friendships with Ulysses S. Grant and John E. Smith.
Upon completion of his construction duties in 1861 Ely returned to New York State. He raised a regiment of Iroquois volunteers but the governor of New York denied them admission into the army because Native Americans were not U.S. citizens. He was then denied the opportunity to join the army as an engineer, also because of his citizenship. Because of his connection with Major General Grant and Brigadier General John E. Smith, he was appointed as chief engineer under Smith in 1863. In September of the same year he was assigned to Grant’s staff.
Parker accompanied Grant on his campaign east, and was present at Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia in April of 1865. Because of his background in law, he helped draft the surrender documents, and handwrote the official copy of the terms of surrender. Parker was awarded the appointment of brevet Brigadier General of volunteers on April 9, 1865. After the war, he continued to serve under Grant until he mustered out of the army in April of 1869.
In 1867 Parker married a Caucasian, Minnie Orton Sackett, in Washington D.C. Grant served as Parker’s best man. Parker and Sackett had one child. Grant appointed Parker Commissioner of Indian Affairs from 1869-1871. He was the first Native American to hold that position. In later years, Parker served several positions with the New York City Police Department. Parker died in Fairfield, Connecticut on August 31, 1895. He is buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, New York