Illinois Parkers

Comment

Comment by Jon Parker on February 7, 2010 at 11:35am

My Great Grandfather, Ozro Wesley Parker, came to Ogle, ILL in 1836 with his mother and sisters. Their father, John Parker died at age 32. They lived in Ogle, Peoria, and Kane County. After he married, he moved to Coldwater, MI about 1865.

Comment by Regina Cuellar-Lee on August 20, 2009 at 9:10pm

More Parker references from HISTORY OF CRAWFORD AND CLARK COUNTIES, ILLINOIS, CHAPTER XVIII (HoneyCreek Township 1883). By W. H. Perrin.
http://files.usgwarchives.org/il/crawford/history/1883/historyo/chapterx15nms.txt

Before the war-whoop of the savage had died away, the pale-faced pioneers were coming into this portion of the county. The first white men who located here were John and Samuel Parker, in 1816. They were genuine pioneers, and of that character of men who were fully able to cope with privation, and with danger in any form. John and George Parker, now living in this township, are descendants of these hardy old frontiersman. John and George Parker came to the township in 1820, from Kentucky, and settled on the "range road," near the present village of Flat Rock. They are of the true pioneer stock, like their progenitors, and are scarcely alive to and up with the age of improvement in which they live.

About the time John and George Parker came the settlement was further
augmented by the arrival of the following families: The Seaney family, Seth and Levi Lee, Jesse and James Higgins, John Hart and Wm. Carter. These settlements were made about the time the land office was established at Palestine. Afterthis there was quite a cessation in the arrival of emigrants, and several years elapsed before we hear of any more newcomers to this immediate vicinity.

Comment by Regina Cuellar-Lee on August 20, 2009 at 9:03pm

More Parker references from HISTORY OF CRAWFORD AND CLARK COUNTIES, ILLINOIS, CHAPTER V. By Hon.E. Callahan.
http://files.usgwarchives.org/il/crawford/history/1883/historyo/chapteri6ms.txt

On The State Supreme Court:
"George N. Parker was born April 9, 1843, in Crawford County, Illinois, and was admitted to practice in the State Courts June 18, 1870, and in the Supreme Court of the United States December 9, A. D. 1878."

In The Blackhawk War:
"When war commenced, Crawford County aroused herself to action, and many of her able-bodied men shouldered their guns and marched to the scene of conflict. Two full companies were sent from Crawford, while others served in companies and regiments recruited elsewhere. Captain Highsmith's company formed a part of the second regiment of the second brigade, and from the report of the adjutant-general of the State we learn that it enlisted in June, 1832, and was as follows: William Highsmith, captain; Samuel V. Allen, first lieutenant; John H. McMickle, second lieutenant; B. B. Piper, first sergeant; Thos. Fuller, second sergeant; Wm. McCoy, third sergeant; John A. Christy, fourth sergeant; Nathan Highsmith, first corporal; Martin Fuller; second corporal; Jackson James, third corporal; John Lagow, fourth corporal; and John Allison, Samuel H. Allison, David M. Allison, John Brimberry, John Barrick, Benj. Carter, James Condrey, Thomas Easton, John Gregg, Wm. R. Grise, Peter Garrison, Hiram Johnson, John Johnson, George W. Kinney, James Lewis, Wm. Levitt, John L. Myers, A. W. Myers, Andrew Montgomery, Isaac Martin, John Parker, Sr., William Parker, Thomas N. Parker, John Parker, Jr., Amos Phelps, William Reese, Robert Simons, Thomas Stockwell, Jacob Vaunrinch, James Weger, privates. The company was mustered out of service August 2, 1832, at Dixon's Ferry, Illinois, its term of enlistment having expired.

Bringing Religion:
"The Baptists were the pioneers of religion in Crawford County. They were of what is denominated the "Hardshell" Baptists, and had ministers here among the first settlers. They were followed soon after by the Methodists, who built the first house of worship in the county. The first Baptist preachers were Thomas Kennedy and Daniel Parker, both early residents of this portion of the country. Elder Newport was also an early Baptist preacher, but lived in what is now Clark County. His ministrations, however, were not confined to any particular section, but devoted to the needy in every community. Elder Daniel Parker was a
zealous minister and preached almost everywhere and to everybody. He preached from Illinois to Texas and back to Illinois, and then made up a colony which he led to Texas. They made the trip by land, and every night during the journey they assembled around the camp-fire, held religious services, passing the evening in prayer and praise to the Giver of all good. Arriving in Texas the colony continued an organized society under the name of "Pilgrim Church," which name they had borne during their "sojourn in the wilderness." The Lamotte Church was organized by these plain and simple old ministers, the first church organization, perhaps, in the county. Elder Parker was a prominent man in the early history of this section of the country, and has been termed one of the
ablest men ever in Crawford County. Aside from his ecclesiastical duties, he found time to mingle in temporal matters. He served as State Senator in the Third and Fourth General Assemblies, and was an active and able legislator. He was plain and unpolished—the diamond in its rough state—honest to a fault, kindly, and of the justest impulses, a noble type of a race fast passing away.

Comment by Regina Cuellar-Lee on August 20, 2009 at 7:15pm

For those who are interested, here is a link to the records of Jones Cemetery, near Flat Rock, IL in Crawford County.

http://files.usgwarchives.org/il/crawford/cemeteries/jones1.txt