Biographical Sketch of William PARKINSON, Madison County, Illinois

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives
Copyright 1999  Judith Weeks Ancell

History of Madison County, Illinois, Illustrated With Biographical Sketches 
of Many Prominent Men and Pioneers,  (W. R. Brink & Co., Edwardsville, IL; 1882).
St. Jacob's Township Page 465-466

"William Parkinson, a native of White county, Tenn., came to the township in 
1816, and lived on the Searcy farm which was originally the Chilton place, near 
the old fort.  May 31, 1817, he entered his first land, the west half of the 
southwest quarter of section one, eighty acres.  After his family grew up and 
settled in life for themselves, he sold out and moved to Wisconsin, where he 
died.  None of his family live in the county.  Washington Parkinson, his brother, 
came two years later.  The first two crops he raised in the Marine prairie.  
In 1820, he settled the E. C. Dugger place, section two.  The records show that 
he entered this tract of eighty acres in the fall of 1816.  he had three children 
born to him in White county, Tenn., viz: William, George, and Alfred J., and two 
in Madison county, viz: Catharine, who died a young girl, and Melinda B., who 
married Edward C. Dugger.  The old gentleman improved a fine farm, was a successful 
farmer, and lived here a quiet citizen until he was assassinated, in 1846.  He 
was in his sitting room just after supper, when someone unknown, in the darkness 
of the night fired a shot through the window and during the excitement that 
ensued made his escape.  The murderer has never been brought to justice.  Alfred 
J., his son, who was born in White county, Tennessee, January 20, 1816, is one 
of the prominent farmers of the township, having often been called upon to fill 
important positions of honor and trust.  At the present writing he is a member 
of the State Legislature.  In 1842, Miss Mary E. Baldwin became his wife, and 
they have nine children, seven sons and two daughters."



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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Judith Weeks Ancell
<jancell@micron.net>