John Frederick Parker (naval officer)

John Fredrick Parker (1853 – December 12, 1911) was a Captain in the United States Navy and one-time Governor of American Samoa from May 21, 1908 to Nov. 10, 1910.^[1] John F. Parker was born in Ohio in 1853. He graduated from Annapolis in 1874 and married Elizabeth Scott Lord, niece of President Benjamin Harrison. He served as governor of Samoa from May 21, 1908 - November 10, 1910. He was stationed in Manila during the Spanish–American War. During President Benjamin Harrison's term he served as an aid. He died of Bright's disease at his home December 12, 1911.

As Governor, Parker recommended that the territory would officially change its name from “U.S. Naval Station Tutuila” to “American Samoa”. When arguing for the change, Parker said the people of Manua were unhappy over not being included in the original name. The Navy Solicitor General accepted Parkers argument and the territory was renamed “American Samoa”.^[2]

Upon the death of Tui Manu’a Eliasara in 1909, Governor Parker announced that since the American flag was raised in the Manuʻa Islands in 1904, the title of Tui Manu'a had been altered to District Governor. This change was implemented because the title of Tui Manu'a was considered royal, which was deemed incompatible with the United States Constitution.^[3]

References

1. "Capt. John N. Parker". The New York Times. New York. 1911-12-13. p. 11.
2. Sunia, Fofō Iosefa Fiti (2001). Puputoa: Host of Heroes - A record of the history makers in the First Century of American Samoa, 1900-2000. Suva, Fiji: Oceania Printers. Page 107. ISBN 9829036022.
3. Freeman, Derek (1999). The Fateful Hoaxing Of Margaret Mead: A Historical Analysis Of Her Samoan Research. Basic Books. Page 95. ISBN 9780813335605.