Orville L. Parmenter, secretary and treasurer of the Racine Paper Goods Company, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1846, a son of Austin W. and Sarah (Calkins) Parmenter, both being representatives of old families of that city. The father was a pioneer lime manufacturer. Reared in Cleveland, the son attended the public schools there and after arriving at years of maturity was married in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1872, to Miss Jennie McBride, of Wooster, Ohio. a daughter of Henry and Martha (Spink) McBride, of New York, the latter a daughter of General Spink, of Revolutionary War fame. To Mr. and Mrs. Parmenter have been born four children: Henry A., who is in business with his father: James McMillan and O. A., who are also with their father, and Elsie, who died at the age of ten years.
The family is members of the Methodist church, and takes an active and helpful interest in its work. In his political views Mr. Parmenter is a republican and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, so that he is able to support his position by intelligent argument, but he does not seek nor hold public office. He is a believer in Racine and has worked earnestly and effectively to promote its interests and uphold municipal standards. His entire life has been a busy, active and useful one and his inventions are now furnishing employment to over ten thousand people. Who, therefore, can measure the far-reaching influences of his life work; all must acknowledge that his contribution to commercial progress has been a very important one. It. was Mr. Parmenter who invented one of the first practical egg cases and introduced the same and this has been a valuable asset in many localities. Other results of his inventive genius, too, have awakened widespread attention and endorsement. In a word, his has been a valuable contribution to the world’s work. Not alone along material lines, however, have his efforts been put forth. for he is guided in all that he does by a Christian faith that has found expression in church work and in his active connection with the Young Men’s Christian Association, he having been a charter member of the Cleveland Ohio Institution.