THE MINONK NEWS Thursday, November 29, 1900
Woodford County, Il.

JACKSON PARKER



Jackson Parker was born in Rappahannock County, Virginia November 2, 1819 and died at his home in Minonk, Illinois November 22, 1900, aged 81 years and 20 days. His health had not been good for 10 years, but the illness terminating in his death was of about seven weeks duration. He belonged to an ancestry noted for their longivity. His paternal grandfather died at the age of 101 years and his maternal grandfather died at the age of 99 year; his father died at the age of 91 years and 12 days, and his mother lived to be 84 years of age.

When his father had passed his 60th anniversary he conceived the idea of coming to Illinois believing by so doing it would afford better opportunity for his large family than the state of Virginia. In the year 1838 he came with his family to Illinois requiring six weeks to make the journey and locating at a point on the Illinois River where in 50 miles in some directions there was no habitation.

Soon after reaching Illinois the deceased and his brother, John, being the oldest sons of the family, bought 80 acres of land and provided a home for their parents.

In partnership with Charles Dobson, Mr. Parker built the first store erected in Minonk and from the years 1854 and 1856, he was a dry goods merchant. He was also a grain and hardware merchant. Vigilant in business and careful in his investments, he was successful in all lines of business to which he gave his attention and applied his energy, so that in those years of his activities he was able to provide for old age and enjoy the fruits of those labors before the wright of age grew to be a burden.

He was a member of the masonic fraternity. He was the recipient of a beautiful gold-headed cane for being one of the most venerable and respected early settlers of Woodford County. In his death has passed away the last one of the charter members of the Robert Morris Lodge, No. 247 A.F. & A.M.

For more than 40 years, Jackson Parker has been a resident of Minonk and his life has been an open book, so that he was known in a public sense as we learn of each other by what we see of them. Yet there was another side of his life which was known only to his family. To them he was a kind and affectionate father.

The children, either married or single, were ever in his thoughts and the enjoyments which he provided for them on their anniversary occasions, when they gathered around the family hearthstone, will ever remain in memory fragrant and eternal.

It was Napoleon who said when asked what was the greatest need of France replied: The greatest need of France is Mothers. Fathers who amidst the strenous duties of life who do not forget their responsibilities and relationship to their family are equally needed for the building of a great nation. Mr. Parker was a domestic father, he loved his home and hearthstone and by them whom he loved and they to whom he was dear, these will ever speak of his memory with filial veneration.

On the 11th day of March, 1847, Mr. Jackson Parker ws married to Harriet Dobson. To them were born six children, 5 daughters and a son. The daughters are all living, the son died in infancy. Mary Frances, wife of Samuel Richardson, Minonk; Alice Jane who lives at home; Ida May, wife of Mebalon Campbell, Minonk; Nora A., wife of Mr. Stonier, of Belle Plain; and Harriet Ellen, wife of Mr. Friar Richardson, near Flanagan.



To his breaved wife he was a faithful and devoted husband to whom she has been a true helpmate, and while she ruled as queen in the domestic kingdom, he as her equal governed as king by her side.

More than 50 years they have lived together bearers of life's burdens, sharers of life's joys; companions and comrades between whom the bonds of a united life grew stronger as years multiplied and grew into decades until more than 50 years was their rich heritage not to bequeath but to retain as a perpetual legacy.

Mrs. Parker is to be pitied in her lonliness, for the staff of youth has been taken away and the strength of middle life is gone and the hope of her declining years has vanished.



We would commend her and all the bereaved household to the tender mercies of Him who suffereth not a sparrow to fall to the ground without his notice, who stretcheth out the heavens as a coutain, who weigheth the mountains in balance and hideth the waters in the hollow of his hand.

The funeral services were held from the residence at 1 o'clock and from the Baptist Church at 2 o'clock p.m. Sunday, November 25, 1900. Rev. Seamon of Momence, Illinois, assisted by Rev. Vivian, conducted the services. The remains were followed to their last earthly resting place by a large concourse of sorrowing friends.



The following named gentlemen were pallbearers.

J.A. Simpson Joseph Whyle

M.A. Christian A.B. Kepp

F.H. Goodrich Tom Pickard