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 MYRON MELVIN PARKER ARKER, MYRON MELVIN, soldier, lawyer, financier, has long been a leader in the financial and philanthropic interests of the capital city. He was born at Fairfax, Franklin county, Vermont; attended the public schools of his native state and the Fort Edward (New York) institute; but before completing the course of study left his books to take part in the Civil war. Toward the close of 1862 he enlisted in the 1st Vermont cavalry and he remained in the army till the close of the war. A large part of his military service was in Virginia and he participated in numerous engagements. When peace was declared he returned to his native state and for four years he was aide-de-camp to its governor with the rank of colonel.

Later he removed to Washington, District of Columbia and became a clerk in the war department. He studied in the law school of the Columbian (now George Washington) university and was graduated therefrom in 1876. For several years he was assistant postmaster at the capital city, and in 1893 he was appointed a commissioner of the District of Columbia.

He has served on the Republican national committee, was a member of important committees at the inauguration of three of the presidents of the United States, and was active in the movement which resulted in the World's Columbian exposition at Chicago. He is president of a banking institution at Nome, Alaska, and of various building and manufacturing companies; and is a director in several large business corporations. He served as one of the executors of the estate of the late Senator John Sherman, and as secretary of the Washington Memorial Association. Among the institutions of which he is a trustee are the George Washington university, the Providence and Columbia hospitals, the Hospital for Foundlings, and the Training School for Nurses; all of Washington, District of Columbia. He is a prominent member of the Masonic order.