Missing Link (LK=WQ; James Parks, 1780 CT)

Missing Link (LK=WQ)
James A. Parks 06T344)

PS Newsletter, Vol. 45, No. 2, Page 27 (2006)

James Parks1 (1780 CT d. 30 Mar. 1855, Pitcher, Chenango Co, NY) m. Elizabeth Ellsworth (July 1785 S. Cuyler, Cortland Co, NY - 25 Nov. 1868, Pitcher, Chenango Co, NY), daughter of George Ellsworth/Aylsworth and Elizabeth Weeks in 1804. James Parks is on the US Census 1820 in Cortland Co, Cincinnatus, NY. James Parks, age 70, b. CT; Elizabeth , age 65; Steven, age 47 are on the US Census 1850 Chenango Co, Pitcher Twn., NY. The book Arthur Aylsworth and His Descendants states that James and Elizabeth had 4 children. The only one living in 1883 was James A. Parks. Steven listed on the 1850 Census is possibly also a son. Buried next to James Parks in the old cemetery on Hwy 27 is Maria Parks who died in 1850, age 28. It is believed that she is a daughter.

James A. Parks2 (1815 NY - 28 Sept. 1892 Pitcher, Chenango Co, NY) m. Laura Sophronia Fox (1812 Pitcher, Chenango Co, NY - 14 May 1871, Pitcher, Chenango Co, NY), daughter of Allen Fox and Polly Cole. Cemetery records for James and Laury S. Park. Marriage information from William Jessie Fox. There are two known children:

  1. Polly Maria "Aunt Rie" Parks 3 (b.1837 Pitcher, Chenango Co, NY) m. William McElhaney
  2. Calvin Elson Parks3 (31 July 1843 Pitcher, Chenango Co, NY - 8 Jan.1920, Pasadena, Harris Co., TX) m. (1) Caroline M. Fuller (1840 NY - 14 Jan. 1899 Union Valley, Cortland Co, NY), dau. of Sullivan Fuller and Polly Cole. Caroline received a certificate to teach in the 2nd District of Cortland Co, NY in 1858. Calvin m. (2) Flora Irene Valentine (6/8 May 1858 McGraw, NY - 8 Aug. 1922 Pasadena, Harris Co, TX) on 28 Dec. 1893. New York Census records have his name as Calvin Elson Parks. The book Pasadena, The Early Years by C. David Pomeroy, Jr. has his name as Calvin Emerson Parks. However a post card dated 1912 from a close relative is addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Elson Parks.

Calvin E. Parks bought ten acres in Deepwater, TX while at the Pan American Expo. (Worlds Fair) in 1893. He came to Texas from Union Valley, NY on Nov. 3, 1894. He tried farming, then returned to New York for his family, except for the oldest son Everitt4, who was married. The family moved from Deepwater to Pasadena in 1902. All the Parks had dairies and raised strawberries. Calvin built a large barn and a two-story house on Shaver Street in 1905. He was on the initial Board of Directors and Stockholders of Pasadena State Bank in 1919. Six children were born to Calvin and Caroline Parks:

Everett Edward Parks4 (1867 NY - 1942 Union Valley, NY) m. 1894 to Cora Belle Peterson, daughter of William Peterson and Rosella (? Jipson). Parents of four children.

Ralph Emerson Parks4 (1869 NY - 1939 Pasadena, Harris Co, TX) did not marry.

William Sullivan "Willie" Parks4 (1870 Union Valley, Cortland Co, NY - 1947 Pasadena, Harris Co., TX) m. 1906 Leora Gwartney, daughter of Jacob Gwartney and Fannie Nugent in Harris Co., TX. Their home, "The Strawberry House," is now a historical museum in Pasadena, TX. They grew strawberries and each year when they harvested the strawberries, they seemed to have another child so they added on to the house with the money from the strawberries. Parents of six children.

Irma Parks4 (1873 Union Valley, NY - 1946) m. 20 Aug. 1896 Will N. Blakesley (b. 1871, Black River Falls, WI) in Deepwater, TX. Parents of eight children.

Nora Elsie Parks4 (1876, NY - 1888, Union Valley, NY); did not marry.

James Devere Parks, Sr.4 (1879-1949) m. (1) Frances Collins; m. 1901 (2) Francis Lanora "Nora" Thurman in Pasadena, Harris Co. Texas. James and Francis (Thurman) Parks were the parents of five children.

For more information on this Missing Link, please wobens1899@gmail.com Jean Churchill #934, Librarian. For snail mail, see her address on the Library Column.