CLARENCE K. PARKS, druggist, P. O. Anna, was born in Jonesboro, August 29, 1851, and is a son of Luther K. and Amira (Clay) Parks. He was born in Lawrenceburg, Ind., in 1819, and brought up on the farm, receiving but a limited education. He made several trips "down the river" on flat-boats loaded with the produce of the country. Of studious turn, he finally decided to become a physician, and in the fall of 1839, he commenced reading medicine with Dr. N. H. Torbet, of Wilmington, continuing with him until October, 1841. He attended a full course of lectures at Cincinnati, Ohio, and finally graduating at the St. Louis Medical College when under the management of Pope. He practiced his profession about twenty-five years, but for five years previous to his death, he only attended to office calls. He was not an active worker in politics but an ardent Republican. He was engaged in real estate for some ten years and made considerable money; he was an active member of the Masonic fraternity. His father, John Parks, was a native of Pennsylvania, but principally raised in Indiana, and was of Irish descent. Dr. Parks died in February, 1872, highly respected by all who knew him. The mother of subject was born in St. Charles County, Mo., in 1828, but raised near St. Louis, and is still living. She is related to Henry Clay, the great statesman; her father was George Clay, a native of Kentucky, and a Captain and owner of steamboats on the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. Subject's parents had six children, of whom he is the oldest now living, three of them being dead. He was raised in Union County and educated in the common schools, and at the age of seventeen years began clerking in a drug store. He continued at this occupation until 1873, when he bought a half interest of Dr. Dodds, and since 1877 has been in business alone. In 1874, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Bugg, of Alabama, a daughter of James and Rebecca (Baker) Bugg, natives of Georgia. Mr. and Mrs. Parks have two children — Sybil and Henry. Mr. Parks is a Republican in politics, following the example of his father before him. He is one of the active and wide awake young business men of the city, and highly respected citizen.
Extracted 02 Apr 2017 by Norma Hass from 1883 History of Alexander, Union, and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part V, pages 80-81.
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Johnson |
| Alexander | Pulaski |
