John W.Park

 

SOURCE: "Portrait and Biographical Album of Champaign County, Illinois," Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1887
SURNAMES: ARNOLD, CLARK, CONNIAR, HANNAH, HARLAND, HUME, KILGORE, PAISLEY, PARK, STREETER

JOHN W. PARK, who became a resident of Champaign County in the fall of 1863, is widely and favorably known in this locality as having at one time been one of its most extensive land-owners, and at one time the proprietor of 700 acres in one body. Although now retired from active labor, he is still possessed of 272 acres in Mahomet Township, which is operated by a tenant, but whose cultivation he superintends with the same good judgment as of old. He also owns 320 acres in Sherburne County, Minn. He now owns and occupies a pleasant home in Mahomet, besides other valuable village property.

Mr. Park is a native of Mt. Pleasant, Jefferson Co. Ohio, and was born Oct. 14, 1843. His parents were John and Elizabeth (HANNAH) PARK, both natives of Virginia, where they were married and located for a time after. They afterward removed to Ohio, and from there to Kentucky, returning finally to the Buckeye State and settling in Clarke County, of which they remained residents for several years. Afterward they lived in Marion and Ottawa Counties, where John Park was engaged in farming and butchering, and where both parents died. The household included five sons and three daughters.

John W. Park remained with his parents until he was of age, and then commenced farming on his own account. He was married in Ottawa County, Ohio, March 17, 1844, to Miss Caroline, daughter of Solomon and Sahie (ARNOLD) STREETER, both natives of New Hampshire, who after their marriage, located first in Genesse County, N. Y., whence they removed to Huron County, Ohio, and from there to Ottawa County, same State, where they passed the remainder of their lives. They reared a family of ten children, three boys and seven girls, of whom Caroline, Mrs. Park, was the eighth. She was born in Genesse County, Dec. 12, 1824, and by her marriage with our subject, became the mother of eleven children, seven of whom survive. Elizabeth A, the eldest, met her death by drowning in the Sangamon River, when twenty-two years old; David G., the youngest, and two others, unnamed, died in infancy; Mary J. is the wife of William H. PAISLEY, who is farming in Mahomet Township; William W. married Miss Alice CLARK, and is living in Kansas; James S. married Miss Sarah Angeline CONNIAR, and lives in Nebraska; Clarissa I. is the wife of J. H. HUME, and lives in Mahomet Township; Caroline F., Mrs. William HARLAND, resides with her husband in Eureka, Ill.; Abraham L. married Miss E. M. KILGORE, and lives in Mahomet Township; Hugh V. is at home with his parents.

Mr. and Mrs. Park are members in good standing of the Baptist Church, and our subject, politically, is a warm adherent of Republican principle. He has taken a genuine interest in the progress and welfare of his township, and has served as Trustee of Mahomet Village.