Charles Grant Parmenter was born near Summum, Illinois on April 3, 1867 and had a twin brother, Garfield, who died soon after birth. They were the last children born to Sampson and Margaret.

In the spring of 1872, his father, mother and his brothers and sisters (Cary, William, Wilson, Andrew, and Sarah) moved to a farm located between Ashland and Yutan in Eastern Nebraska. The Parmenter farm was near the town of Wann, and adjacent to George Westlake Parmenter's farm, Charles' oldest half-brother. His father Sampson died in 1879.

Charles married Mary Lenora Shupe in March, 1899, but she died from complications following the birth of Daniel Martin Parmenter on February 1, 1900. Daniel was raised by his maternal grandparents, but often visited the family.

Charles married Emma Smith in June, 1902 in Lincoln, Nebraska.

The Parmenter farm at Wann, Nebraska, about 7 miles north of Ashland, in Saunders Country was home to Charles and his family until 1919. Charles was quite successful at farming, eventually buying a second farm about three miles away.

The humid climate of Eastern Nebraska aggravated Charles' asthma, so a doctor suggested he move to a drier climate. In the Spring of 1919, the family, including Charles, Emma and the children (three boys and two girls, including Hazel) left their home. All of their possessions were loaded in two immigrant rail cars, including farm implements, furniture, livestock and an Overland automobile. Charles and two sons rode in the immigrant cars, Emma, a son and the two daughters rode in a passenger car.

Obituary, unknown publisher: Charles G. Parmenter, Sr., esteemed and likeable resident of Lyman since 1930 passed away in his sleep to peaceful rest at his home early Tuesday morning, Feb. 22 (1944).

He had been in ill health the last several years, having recently suffered another light stroke. Although 76 years old, Mr. Parmenter went down town every day for the mail until just within the past few months. He had been feeling fairly well when he retired Monday evening, so that his death came as a shock to everyone. Mrs. Parmenter was alone with him at the time of his passing, their son, Charles Grant (Jr.), home on furlough, having gone with his wife to Wyoming, where she is employed.

Mr. and Mrs. Parmenter moved here from Mitchell valley in 1930. He was a native of Ohio and would have been 77 this coming April 3. He was a member of the local Church of Christ, having been a member of the Christian Church since his youth.

Surviving are three sons in the service, Sgt. Charles G., Jr., of Las Vegas, Nev., Sgt. Wm. J. stationed in Louisiana and Pfc. Marion at Camp Stoneman, Cal. Two other sons, Austin, in defense work at Eugene, Ore., and Howard employed in the ship yards at Oakland, Calif.; two daughters, Mrs. Roy Kronberg, of Scottsbluff and Mrs. Miles Roudebush of Hermiston, Ore., survive. There are nine grandchildren.

Lyman folk will greatly miss this kindly man, who always had a pleasant word for everyone and never seemed to harbor ill will against anyone. He liked to visit, and had a sense of humor that even ill health could not quench. He had high ideals and grieved that the world was in its present state of evil unrest, but hoped for the day when a change would come.

We cannot say, we must not say
That he is dead, He is just away
With a cheery smile and a wave of the hand,
He has wandered into a unknown land,
And left us dreaming how very fair
It needs must be since he lingers there;
Think of him as still the same and say
He is not dead, he's just away.