Biography - WESLEY A. PARKE

Wesley A. Parke, who comes of good Revolutionary and pioneer stock and has for a number of years past been engaged in business at Staunton, is a native of Unionville, New Jersey. He was born December 6, 1847, a son of Abram B. and Sarah Ann (Hoffman) Parke, the former of whom was born in Washington, Warren county, New Jersey, December 24, 1819. The grandfather of our subject was John Parke, a native of Hunterdon county, New Jersey, and a son of Ozias Parke, of Maryland, who moved to Hunterdon county and died there at the advanced age of ninety-five years. His father was a soldier in the patriot army at the time of the Revolutionary war. Ozias Parke was a member of the state militia of New Jersey and assisted against the British in the war of 1812. John Parke was married in New Jersey in 1818 to Charlotte Bryan. They emigrated to Ohio and spent eight years in Logan and Auglaize counties, then going to Madison county, Illinois. Mr. Parke remained two years in this state and then returned to Ohio, where he died at the age of seventy-five. His wife continued her residence in Madison county where she spent the remainder of her days. Abram B. Parke, father of our subject, grew to manhood in his native state and was married in Morris county, New Jersey, to Sarah Ann Hoffman, who was born in that county, October 31, 1816. She was of German descent, being a daughter of Nicholas and Anne (Youngs) Hoffman, who spent a large part of their lives upon a farm in New Jersey, both passing away at the age of seventy-five years. William Youngs, one of the great-grandfathers of our subject, was also a soldier of the Revolutionary war. Abram B. Parke came with his family to Illinois and located on a farm in the vicinity of Worden, Madison county. He devoted his attention largely to farming and also served as postmaster of Moultonville for eleven or twelve years. In 1875 he removed to Macoupin county, establishing his home upon sections 21 and 28 of Staunton township. There he lived until 1901 when he moved to Staunton. He died three years later and was buried in Spangle cemetery, near his old home in Madison county. His wife died in 1910 and is buried beside her husband. In their family were ten children, all of whom are deceased except the subject of this review and Charlotte A., who was born June 30, 1842. The others were: Mary J., born July 26, 1843; John, born February 19, 1845; Alfred, born May 23, 1846; Eveline M. C., born November 19, 1849; Elias T., born September 29, 1851; Albert, born November 21, 1853; Louise, born September 27, 1856; and George, born September 14, 1858.

Wesley A. Parke, the fifth in order of birth in his father’s family, was brought to Illinois early in life and received his preliminary education in the schools of Madison county. He continued at home until eighteen years of age and then began working for the farmers of the neighborhood. In 1874 he returned home and in 1875 came with his parents and other members of the family to Macoupin county. In 1880 he began farming on his own account in Staunton township, continuing until 1901, when he purchased fifty acres in section 19. He platted twenty acres of his farm and founded the village of Parksville and has disposed of all the lots in the village except fifteen. The remaining thirty acres of his place is devoted to truck farming. He is also the owner of a feed store.

In 1882 Mr. Parke was married to Miss Amanda E. Coalson, a native of Staunton, and they have three children. Grace Blanch, the eldest, is a graduate of the Staunton high school and the commercial college at Litchfield. She is now a stenographer and resides in St. Louis, Missouri. Myrtle Beatrice was graduated at the Staunton high school and Eureka College at Eureka, Illinois. She entered the ministry of the Christian church and for three years past has had charge of the congregation at Carlock, Illinois. Clarence Winifred is living at home.

Mr. Parke originally gave his support to the republican party but later changed his allegiance and voted the democratic ticket. His study of political and social questions led him to adopt the cause of prohibition of which he is now an earnest advocate. His wife and children are consistent members of the Christian church. He takes a vital interest in the development of the region with which he is identified and in his various relations with his fellow men has won their entire confidence and respect. Through life he has felt the stimulus of a worthy ambition and the position he holds in the community is evidence that his example of sincerity and rectitude has not been in vain, for nothing so appeals to the hearts of young and old as the simple lesson of an upright character.

Extracted 15 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 491-492.