Ely S. Parker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ely S. Parker
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| Hasanoanda | |
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Ely Samuel Parker
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| Dó:nihogä́:'wëh | |
| In office 1852–1895 |
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| 16th Commissioner of Indian Affairs | |
| In office 1869–1871 |
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| President | Ulysses S. Grant |
| Preceded by | Nathaniel Green Taylor |
| Succeeded by | Francis Amasa Walker |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Ely Samuel Parker
1828 Indian Falls, New York, U.S. |
| Died | August 31, 1895 (aged 66–67) Fairfield, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Resting place | Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, New York, U.S. |
| Spouse |
Minnie Orton Sackett
(m. 1867) |
| Relatives | Red Jacket (great grand-uncle) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army (Union Army) |
| Rank | Colonel Brevet brigadier general |
| Unit | Adjutant to General U.S. Grant 2nd U.S. Cavalry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | |
Ely Samuel Parker (1828 – August 31, 1895) was an inspiring Tonawanda Seneca leader, talented civil engineer, and United States Army officer. His birth name was Hasanoanda, and he later earned the Seneca chief title of Donehogawa. Growing up in Upstate New York, Parker learned both the Seneca language and English. He used his education and voice to help his community stand up for their rights.
During the dramatic events of the American Civil War, Parker joined the Union Army. He quickly became a trusted secretary to General Ulysses S. Grant. Because he had neat handwriting and great skill, Parker wrote the official surrender agreement at the Battle of Appomattox Courthouse. Later, President Grant appointed him as the very first Native American leader of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Contents
Early Life and Growing Up
Ely Parker was born in 1828 in a scenic village called Indian Falls, New York. This lovely area was located inside the historic Tonawanda Reservation. He was the sixth child in a large family of seven brothers and sisters. His loving parents were William and Elizabeth Parker, respected members of the famous Seneca people.
His father worked as a hardworking miller who ground grain and served as a dedicated Baptist preacher. His father had also bravely defended the country as a warrior during the War of 1812. His mother came from a very respected family of leaders. She was closely related to the famous thinker and teacher Handsome Lake.
A Family That Valued School
The Parker family believed strongly that going to school was the key to a bright future. Ely attended a local mission school, where he worked hard to learn reading, writing, and mathematics. He became completely bilingual at a young age. This meant he could easily think and speak in both his native Seneca language and English.
His home was always filled with excitement and conversation. His older brother Nicholson Parker became a famous speaker, known as a gifted orator. Nicholson reminded many people of their talented ancestor named Red Jacket. Ely dreamed of using his own education to help build bridges between different cultures.
Meeting Important Thinkers
During the 1840s, many curious scientists and authors traveled to the Parker household in New York state. These visitors wanted to understand the traditions, history, and government of the famous Haudenosaunee confederacy. Ely welcomed these travelers and explained the deep traditions of his people.
Among these early visitors was a researcher named Henry Rowe Schoolcraft, along with the brave explorer John Wesley Powell. These scholars gathered helpful information that later shaped modern American anthropology. Even as a teenager, Parker impressed adults with his sharp memory and clear explanations.
Friendship with Lewis Henry Morgan
One afternoon, Parker stepped into a local bookstore and bumped into a young lawyer named Lewis Henry Morgan. Morgan was fascinated by Native American customs and was organizing a club called "The Grand Order of the Iroquois" in Upstate New York. The two young men struck up a conversation and soon formed a lifelong friendship.
Parker invited Morgan to visit the Tonawanda Reservation to meet Seneca elders and learn the truth about their way of life. With Parker serving as his primary guide and translator, Morgan wrote a groundbreaking book titled League of the Iroquois in 1851. Morgan proudly dedicated this famous book to Parker, thanking him for his tireless partnership and deep wisdom.
The Path to Becoming an Engineer
Young Parker wanted to help his community defend their lands in court, so he decided to study law. He spent three long years working at a law office, reading law books with experienced attorneys in Ellicottville (village), New York. He learned how contracts worked and studied every detail of local laws.
When he finished his studies, Parker eagerly applied to take the formal bar examination to become a licensed lawyer. However, officials unfairly rejected his application. Under the laws of that era, American Indians were not considered United States citizens. American Indians did not receive automatic citizenship until lawmakers passed the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924.
Building Canals and Bridges
Instead of giving up after being turned away from law school, Parker shifted his focus toward science. With the help and encouragement of his friend Morgan, he enrolled at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York. There, he studied mathematics, drafting, and complex construction methods to become a professional civil engineer.
Parker put his new skills to work on major American building projects. He helped improve the famous Erie Canal, which carried boats and goods across the state. His work ensured that canal locks stayed strong and water flowed safely.
Meeting Ulysses S. Grant
Parker eventually moved westward to supervise important government construction projects in the bustling town of Galena, Illinois. He was in charge of building a new customs house and a large federal post office. He took great pride in making sure every brick and beam was placed correctly.
While living in Galena, Parker met a quiet store clerk and former soldier named Ulysses S. Grant. The two men enjoyed talking about world events and quickly formed a close, trusting friendship. Neither man knew that in just a few short years, they would be working together to guide the nation through war.
Honored as a Seneca Sachem
During this same busy period, Seneca leaders chose Parker to serve as their diplomatic representative. He traveled to Washington to speak with politicians about ancient treaty rights. In 1852, his nation held a special condolence ceremony to raise him to the high rank of Hoyaneh, or sachem.
Parker received the proud title of Donehogawa, which means "Keeper of the Western Door of the Long House." This title placed him in charge of guarding his people's western border and protecting their traditions. Parker carried this honor with great respect for the rest of his life.
Service in the American Civil War
When the American Civil War broke out in 1861, Parker wanted to help protect the Union. He tried to organize a volunteer fighting unit of Haudenosaunee men from New York. However, the Governor of New York, named Edwin D. Morgan, turned down his patriotic offer.
Parker then traveled to Washington to enlist directly as an army engineer. Once again, prejudiced officials blocked his path. The United States Secretary of War, Simon Cameron, refused to let him join simply because of his heritage. Parker returned home disappointed, but he remained determined to serve.
Joining General Grant's Staff
In 1863, Parker reached out to his old friend Ulysses S. Grant, who desperately needed talented engineers on the battlefield. Grant immediately recognized Parker's abilities and arranged for him to be commissioned as a captain. Parker reported directly to Brigadier General John Eugene Smith to assist with important military operations.
Parker served as chief engineer during the famous Siege of Vicksburg along the mighty Mississippi River. He carefully drew maps, constructed defensive walls, and built sturdy bridges for marching troops. General Smith praised him warmly, telling others that Parker was an exceptionally talented and dependable engineer.
The March to Victory
General Grant was so impressed with Parker that he promoted him to become his personal adjutant. Parker traveled with Grant's headquarters during the fierce battles of the Chattanooga campaign. He helped plan troop movements and ensured orders were delivered safely to distant commanders.
Later, Parker served through the dangerous Overland Campaign and the long Siege of Petersburg in Petersburg, Virginia. By this time, Grant had made Parker a lieutenant colonel and his trusted military secretary. Parker worked long hours inside the command tent, writing official military dispatches and confidential messages.
The Historic Surrender at Appomattox
In April 1865, the war finally drew to a close. Confederate general Robert E. Lee realized his army could fight no longer and agreed to meet Grant. The two leaders gathered inside a private home at Appomattox Court House National Historical Park.
General Grant asked Parker to use his neat penmanship to write out the formal surrender documents. As the leaders gathered, General Lee looked closely at Parker and realized he was Native American. Lee extended his hand and said, "I am glad to see one real American here." Parker shook his hand warmly and gave a famous reply: "We are all Americans."
For his outstanding and faithful service during the conflict, the army awarded Parker the rank of brevet brigadier general. He was one of the highest-ranking Native Americans to serve in the entire war.
Leadership After the War
Following the end of the fighting, Parker remained on active military duty. On July 1, 1866, he accepted an officer position in the famous 2nd United States Cavalry. He continued serving as General Grant's primary military secretary, handling difficult correspondence and meetings.
Parker also traveled across the nation as a member of the Southern Treaty Commission. He met with Native American tribes from Indian Territory to establish peaceful relations after the turmoil of war. On April 26, 1869, Parker decided to retire from military service to take on a brand-new challenge.
Commissioner of Indian Affairs
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In 1869, Ulysses S. Grant was elected president of the United States. Grant immediately selected his trusted friend Parker to lead the Bureau of Indian Affairs as the Commissioner of Indian Affairs. Parker made history as the very first Native American to hold this powerful government job.
Parker quickly became the main creator of President Grant's Peace Policy. He believed strongly that the government should treat Native tribes with honesty, fairness, and kindness. Under his careful direction, military clashes dropped significantly, and tribes received better food, supplies, and tools for their farms.
Standing Strong Against Critics
Even though Parker worked hard to help tribal nations, he faced fierce resistance from corrupt politicians and greedy traders. In 1871, a bitter former official named William Welsh made false accusations against Parker. Welsh claimed that Parker had broken government purchasing rules when buying food for hungry tribes.
The United States House Committee on Appropriations launched an investigation to look into the matter. The committee cleared Parker of any serious wrongdoing, proving he had acted to save lives. However, politicians stripped away much of his authority, leading Parker to resign his post in 1871.
Later Years and Lasting Memory
After stepping down from public office, Parker moved to the bustling city of New York. He invested money in business ventures and worked for the supply office of the New York Police Department. While working there, he met famous social reformer and photographer Jacob Riis, who admired Parker's calm dignity.
Parker married Minnie Orton Sackett in 1867, and General Grant had proudly attended their happy wedding. The couple had a daughter named Maud Theresa Parker. In his final years, Parker faced difficult health problems and lived quietly until his passing on August 31, 1895, in Fairfield, Connecticut.
Returning Home to Seneca Land
Parker was initially laid to rest in Connecticut, but his Seneca family wanted him buried on traditional homeland. In January 1897, his body was brought back to Western New York and reburied at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, New York. He was placed next to his famous ancestor Red Jacket, surrounded by fellow leaders of his nation.
Long after his passing, on November 14, 2025, the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Fourth Department posthumously granted Parker his license to practice law. The court recognized that he had earned the right to be a lawyer more than a century earlier.
How We Remember Him Today
- The federal government named the Ely S. Parker Building in Reston, Virginia, in his honor.
- Author Dee Brown highlighted Parker's incredible courage in the famous history book Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee.
- The historic desert town of Parker, Arizona, was named after him when its first post office opened.
- The United States Mint honored his historic achievements by placing his image on the special 2022 Sacagawea dollar coin.
- He is remembered in the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, which celebrates officers who defended the Union.
See Also
In Spanish: Ely Parker para niños
- Fellows v. Blacksmith – an important legal case where Parker defended Seneca lands
- Arthur C. Parker – Parker's talented nephew who became a famous historian
