PARK / PARKS BIOGRAPHIES, Henry County, Missouri ==================================================================== PARK, Lafayette - b: 1860 Cock Co, TN source: 1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co - page: 416 residence: Big Creek Twp General Lafayette Park, a prominent farmer and stockman of Big Creek township, is a native of Tennessee. He was born in Cock County April 9, 1860, a son of John A. and Catharine M. (Garrison) Park, natives of Tennessee. The father died April 11, 1910, and the mother now resides with her son. John A. Park was a Confederate veteran. He enlisted in his native State and served in behalf of the lost cause until the fall of Vicksburg. At the close of the war he went to Indiana, where he remained until 1868. He then came to Missouri, settling near Lees Summit, in Jackson County, where he was engaged in farming until 1889. He then came to Henry County and he and his son, General Lafayette, purchased a farm in Big Creek township, which the latter now owns. Mr. Park's farm consists of nine hundred forty acres and is one of the well improved and valuable farms of Henry County. Mr. Park carries on general farming and stock raising. He is known as an extensive stockman and raises about one hundred head of cattle annually. He has shipped as many as four cars of hogs in one year. March 10, 1888, G. L. Park was united in marriage to Miss Anna Lou Gault of Jackson County, Missouri., She is a daughter of James and Rebecca J. (Flanery) Gault. Mrs. Park's mother died in 1908, and her father is now living retired and spends much of his time with his children. To General Lafayette Park and wife have been born the following children: James, farmer and stockman in Big Creek township, who makes a specialty of breeding Percheron horses and mammoth jacks; Anna Belle, married Roy Albin, Big Creek township; Lafayette, farmer and stockman in Big Creek township, and Mabel, married Ralph Butcher, Big Creek township. Mr. Park is a member of the Masonic Lodge and is a director in the Farmers Bank of Chilhowee, Missouri. He is a progressive and enterprising citizen and always stands ready to co-operate with and support any enterprise for the betterment or upbuilding of his township and county. ==================================================================== PARK, Overton - b: 1822 Madison Co, KY source: 1883 History of Henry Missouri , National Historical Co. - page: 753 residence: Osage Twp Overton Park, also known as one of the pioneer settlers of Osage Township, was born in Madison County, Kentucky, November 14, 1822, and was the son of James and Polly (Benton) Park, also Kentuckians by birth. Overton moved to Indiana with his parents in 1826 or 1827, and located in Johnson County, being among the first settlers there. He was reared a farmer, and in 1841 he came to Missouri, making his home first in Benton County, where he entered land and improved a farm. He was married in that county July 19, 1844, to Miss Ellen Foster. In 1855, selling this property, he moved to Henry County and improved the place which he now occupies. This embraces 360 acres all under fence and in cultivation, with a good two story house, located in section 36. Mrs. Parks died in October, 1870, leaving a family of eleven children: James, David, Siegle, Chillion, Nancy (wife of R. Trigg), Purlina (wife of Reuben Brown), Emily (wife of John Burch), Samantha (wife of Joseph Bunch), Hannah (wife of John Newell), and Mary. Mr. Park was married the second time in the fall of 1861 to Mrs. Jane Holland, formerly the wife of John Holland. They have four children: George, Overton, Milo and Carrie A. Mr. P. served in the enrolled militia during the rebellion and was first lieutenant in Captain Good's company and as such participated in a number of skirmishes. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church. ==================================================================== PARKS, James - b: 1827 KY source: 1883 History of Henry Missouri , National Historical Co. - page: 349 residence: Henry County Hon. James Parks. In the early settlement of Missouri, no state was more largely represented than Kentucky - in many instances her sons and daughters being among the earliest pioneers. Peyton and Almira Parks, the parents of Hon. James Parks, were born in Kentucky, where they were married in 1826. During the following year, October 28, 1827, James was born and was brought by his parents to Cooper County, Missouri, where they arrived in the winter of the same year. They remained in Cooper County until 1834, when they emigrated to Henry County, the same being at that time, but little more than a wilderness, where roamed unmolested the wild animal, and the scarcely less wild Indian. Being possessed of strong arms and a brave heart, Mr. Parks reared his home, nothing daunted, and industriously applied himself to the duties before him, having an abiding faith in a better time coming. His wife died in 1847 (September), and he, after witnessing the growth of Henry County - covering a period of nearly half a century - also passed away in November, 1880, respected by all who knew him. James obtained such an education as was afforded by the common schools of Henry County (which were very imperfect at best) in addition to what instruction was given him at home. In 1862 he commenced the study of law, and during the year following he received the appointment of county and circuit clerks for Henry County, which positions he filled until January, 1867, in the meantime continuing his study of the law. When his term of office expired he obtained a license to practice and soon worked up a good business. In 1878 he was elected judge of the probate court and again elected in 1882, his term of office expiring in 1887. The judge is a member of the Masonic order. He was married December 24, 1850, to Miss Mary J. Allen, a native of North Carolina. They have six children, whose names are as follows: Almira F., Laura A., Peyton A., Mattie E., Susan and Anna A. ==================================================================== PARKS, Peyton A. - b: 1855 Henry Co, MO source: 1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co - page: 293 residence: Clinton, Clinton Twp Peyton A. Parks. The name of Parks figures prominently in connection with the history of the courts in Henry County and Peyton A. Parks is today one of the distinguished members of the bar of Henry County. He was born in this county, August 22, 1855, a son of James and Mary (Allen) Parks. His paternal grandfather was one of Missouri 5 honored pioneer settlers and laid out and founded the city of Clinton. He was licensed to practice law in Kentucky in 1823 and became one of the early and prominent members of the Missouri bar, displaying notable ability in the trial of cases and the handling of important litigated interests entrusted to his care. The name of Parks has for eighty years been closely associated with the history of Henry County and has ever been a synonym for progressiveness and public-spirited citizenship. James Parks, father of Peyton A. Parks, was born near Stanford, Lincoln County, Kentucky, October 23, 1827. In early life he devoted his attention to farming and school teaching. He accompanied his parents on their removal to Cooper County, Missouri, in 1827, and to Henry County in 1834 so that he here practically spent his entire life. In 1860 he was elected county assessor and made a creditable record in that capacity. Subsequently other official honors were conferred upon him. He became circuit clerk and recorder of deeds and while thus engaged his interest in the law led him to take up the study of the principles of jurisprudence and he was admitted to the bar. He then entered upon active practice as a member of the firm of R. Allen & Company and following the withdrawal of Mr. Allen, Judge Gantt joined Mr. Parks in a partnership, and with the addition of a third member, William T. Thornton, the firm style of Parks, Thornton & Gantt was assumed. That relation continued until Mr. Thornton was appointed governor of the territory of New Mexico by President Cleveland, and Judge Gantt went upon the circuit bench. Mr. Parks was joined by his son Peyton in 1880 and they continued together in the practice of law until the father retired because of old age. He was probate judge for twenty years and was long accounted one of the foremost members of the bar in his section of the State. He held to the highest ideals of the profession and the thoroughness and care with which he prepared his cases and the clearness, force and logic with which he presented his cause before the courts made him notably successful. He died June 26, 1904, honored and respected by all who knew him. For about three years he had survived his wife, who passed away July 2, 1901. Peyton A. Parks was the only son in a family of six children. He attended both public and private schools of Clinton and when twenty years of age began teaching, remaining as principal of the Montrose schools for three and a half years. In the meantime he took up the study of law, to which he devoted his leisure hours, and following his admission to the bar he entered upon active practice in connection with his father. He has since continued as a general practitioner and devotes his entire time to his professional duties. Four generations of the Parks family have been connected with the legal profession in Clinton, for Peyton A. Parks is now associated with his only son, James A. They have one of the best equipped and most complete law offices to be found outside of the large cities. They occupy a suite of rooms in a two story building which they erected. The lower floor is divided into two large general offices, separated only by a broad archway and grille work. In the rear of these are the private offices. The walls are lined with long cases filled with works on law. The upper floor consists of one large room, richly carpeted, and at each end of the room is a long council table. In this room the four walls are completely lined with continuous shelves of books rising from the floor to more than three-fourths the height of the wall. Above the cases on one side of the room are enlarged pictures of the father and grandfather of Peyton A. Parks and also of his maternal grandfather, while the other four walls are adorned with pictures of well known statesmen and eminent men. With the contents of an extensive library Peyton A. Parks is largely familiar. He is a constant student of the law and seems never at a loss for principle or precedent to cite in proof of the correctness of his position. On the twenty-first of September, 1882, Mr. Parks was married to Miss Mary E. Gathright, who was born in Callaway County, Missouri, a daughter of James and Hester E. (Shackleford) Gathright, both of whom were natives of Virginia and at an early day went to Callaway County. The father engaged in farming, but afterward turned his attention to merchandising in Henry County, although death soon terminated his business career in the latter county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Parks was born a son, James A., whose natal day was October 13, 1883. He is now associated with his father in law practice. He married Miss Lizzie Wallis, and they have one child, Frances, born August 16, 1913. James A. Parks devotes his entire time to his professional duties. Both father and son are members of the Masonic fraternity and hold membership with the Modern Woodmen and with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Peyton A. Parks as well as the junior member gives his political allegiance the Democratic party and always keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He was county school commissioner when engaged in teaching from 1879 to 1881 and also a member of the State tax commission under Governor Dockery. Both father and son have been very active in all patriotic lines and war activities. The former has been and is vice-chairman of the Red Cross in Henry County, speaking and organizing on that line. For the past twenty-six years, or from 1892, Mr. Parks has been chairman of the sixth congressional committee. Mr. Peyton Parks and his wife are members of the Baptist Church and their social position is one of well deserved prominence. Theirs is a hospitable home and its good cheer is enjoyed by a constantly increasing circle of friends. A lifelong resident of Henry County, Peyton A. Parks has made an honorable record, following in the footsteps of father and grandfather and carrying on the work which was instituted by them in behalf of city and county. No history of this section would be considered complete without extended mention of the Parks family, so active have they been in support of all that pertains to the welfare, progress and improvement of this section of the State. ==================================================================== PARKS, Peyton B. - b: 1841 Cooper Co, MO source: 1883 History of Henry Missouri , National Historical Co. - page: 789 residence: Bethlehem Twp Peyton B. Parks, is a prominent farmer on section 13. He was born in Cooper County, Missouri, November 21, 1841, and was the son of James Y. Parks, who was born in 1814, coming to Missouri at an early day. He married Nancy Adkins, a native of Missouri. They reared six children, Peyton being the fourth child. The senior Parks died in March, 1867. and his widow's death occurred in October, 1870. Young Parks was reared in his native county in the occupation of farming. He came to Henry County when just starting in life, and is now a progressive and successful farmer. He has a well improved farm of 150 acres on section 13. Mr. Parks was married October 28, 1866, to Miss Susan T. Randall, a native of Missouri. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and is also connected with the Masonic fraternity. ==================================================================== PARKS, Thomas B. - b: 1860 Henry Co, MO source: 1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co - page: 357 residence: Clinton, Clinton Twp Thomas B. Parks, county surveyor of Henry County, is a native son of this county and a member of a well known pioneer family of western Missouri. He was born at Leesville, Missouri, April 10, 1860, and is a son of Bird D. and Lourinda J. (Lee) Parks. Bird D. Parks, the father, was born in Kentucky and when twelve years of age came to Missouri with his parents, who located in Cooper County. He was a son of Peyton Parks. Bird D. Parks came to Henry County in 1844 and settled on a farm on Grand River south of Leesville. He bought his land from the Government at $1.25 per acre. At that time the Government land office was located at Lexington and Mr. Parks went there to pay for his land, and like other settlers of that time paid for it in silver dollars. Here he followed farming until the Civil War broke out, when he entered the Confederate Army and served as captain of a company in General Price's army. During the early part of the war he participated in a number of important engagements, including the battles of Lexington and Wilson Creek. Afterwards he returned to his Henry County home and removed with his family to Cooper County, and after the war returned to Henry County and settled in Springfield township, where the town of Thrush now stands. Here he spent the remainder of his life engaged in general farming and stock raising. He was a man of unusual ability and his life was filled with experiences out of the ordinary. In 1849 he made the trip to California. He went by the Overland route with ox teams and after remaining about a year at the mecca of the gold seekers, he returned home by way of the Isthmus of Panama. On this trip he was shipwrecked in the Caribbean Sea. He was a Democrat and prominent in the political affairs of Henry County and for eight years held the position of county surveyor. He was widely known as a prominent Mason. He died in 1903 at the age of eighty-six years. His wife, who was also a Kentuckian, died in 1893, aged seventy-five years. To Bird D. and Lourinda J. (Lee) Parks were born eight children who grew to maturity, three of whom are living as follows: Louisa, married Thomas Baughman, who is now deceased and she resides in Oklahoma; H. A., of Kansas City, Missouri, and Thomas B., the subject of this sketch. Thomas B. Parks received his early education in the public schools of Henry County and later entered the State Normal School at Warrensburg, where he was graduated in the class of 1878. He then engaged in teaching in Henry County and taught about seven years in all, during which time he was principal of the Calhoun schools one year. He was appointed county surveyor of Henry County in 1887 and elected to that office a number of times, serving thirteen years in succession. He then went to Montana, and for a number of years was in the employ of the Government as a surveyor, during which time he surveyed and sectionized a portion of the Flat Head Indian Reservation. In 1907 he returned to Henry County and from that time until 1916 was engaged in farming. He was then elected county surveyor again, which office he still holds. He owns a valuable farm and is interested in farming and stock raising. Mr. Parks was married January 9, 1888, to Miss Minnie L. Strieby, a native of Michigan, who came to Henry County with her parents in 1871. She is a daughter of Joel and Melvina (Norris) Strieby, who now reside in Clinton. To Mr. and Mrs. Parks have been born the following children: Pearl, married Mode Davis, Clinton; Clayta, married Albert Dunning, Jr., Fairview township; Zoe, at home with his parents; Manford, resided on his father's farm until he became a soldier in the National Army; Gordon, a midshipman in the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland; Mildred, a teacher in Saskatchewan, Canada, and Vivian,. a graduate of the Clinton High School, class of 1918, who resides at home. Mr. Parks is a Democrat and has been identified with that party all his life. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Modern Woodmen of America. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. 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