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- BIOGRAPHY: Her father was an earnest Christian man, who, she his only daughter loved fondly. He died when she was fourteen. His teaching and example, and also that of her Christian mother, helped to form in her a sweet and gentle disposition. She received a good common school education at the old Cobb’s school house. In her seventeenth year, September 29, 1846, she was united in marriage to William A. Parks, a young man of pure principles, of unusual energy and ambition, with a fair common school education and a good discernment of human nature. he seldom misplaced confidence in man. They both united with the Baptist Church in Grafton, NY. They resided a few years on the Davison Homestead, where their first children were born. They also kept a Hotel and Store at Quackenskill, NY for awhile. Also the Hotel and Store at East Grafton, NY, before moving to Illinois in 1854. They went by way of Chicago and LaSalle. Arrived at Minonk, IL where they found the mud deep and abundant. (Uncle Hank used to express it, “Half clay and half tar.”) The City of Minonk then consisted of a railroad switch and one house. They located about ten miles northwest of Minonk and lived at several places until 1857, when they moved on what is now known as the William A. Parks Homestead. He bought his land on credit and owing to the hard times and the Civil War, he paid interest to the amount of more than the first cost of the land. They had their experience in pioneer life--poverty, sickness and losses. But being hopeful, cheerful, and trusting in God, they established a good home. The district School was taught in their house. The pioneer teachers were DANIEL HARRISON DAVISON, (her brother), Jacob McChesney, (Husband of Elsie Lois Davison), Henry Lohnes, and Mrs. W. R. Dunn, (Francis L. Davison-Jenkins-Dunn, daughter of Ezra Darwin Davison). In 1874, they built a fine large house. They moved into it, and after an illness of only three days with pneumonia, he died January 27, 1875, leaving his family with a good home, but some in debt. In a few years, she with the help of her boys, cleared up the incumberance and to the last, their home was the dearest place on earth.
BIOGRAPHY: Her last years were spent mostly with her children at each of whose homes she had a room. She always brought sunshine and happiness where ever she went. On account of her delicate health, she was spending the winter at the residence of her daughter Sarah, wife of Dr. E. Mamen, at Bloomington, IL, where with all her children about her she died December 30, 1902. A few days past seventy-three years of age. Her husband and children testify she was an ideal wife and mother. She bequeathed part of her estate to benevolent and religious purposes. One of her favorite quotations was: “Blessed are the peacemakers, etc.” She not only taught it, but lived it. While all were together in the old home, the children embraced the Christian religion of their parents and family worship was maintained. They had nine children.
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1829 - 1902 (73 years)