Francis Marion Park

Today, Feb 2 is the anniversary of Francis Marion Park's death. He dies in 1922 at White Cloud, Doniphan County, Kansas.

Francis Marion Park, my Great Great Grandfather was born July 22, 1850 at Swanson Township, Warren County, Illinois. He was married to Margaret Elizabeth Crane on September 8, 1875 at Walnut Grove, McDonough County Illinois. They had eight children, including their oldest, Francis Edward Park, born July 31, 1876 who was my Great Grandfather.

Francis Marion Park and his family lived at Walnut Grove, McDonough Co, Illinois until 1885. They purchased a covered wagon and equipment and moved with their five children to Kansas traveling through Iowa and Nebraska. They arrived in Republic Co. Kansas on November 27, 1885. They established a home about two miles south of the Kansas/Nebraska border near the Republican River. They then moved to Phillips Co. hear Phillipsburg in 1887 and then to Prairie View, Phillips Co, Kansas in March 1892. They lived in sod houses during this time.

After enduring prairie fires, grasshopper and drought they decided to move back to Illinois. On their way they passed through White Cloud, Doniphan Co, Kansas arriving in January 1895. They found they were unable to cross the Missouri River because the ferry had been taken out of the water due to floating ice. There were no vacant houses so the city of White Cloud gave them permission to live in the jail. By spring the family had made friends and decided to make White Cloud their home. Francis Marion rented a farm west of White Cloud.

Francis Marion was disabled in later years. He was missing part of his left hand, lost in an farming accident. He had broken his leg and it wasn’t set correctly leaving him unable to work. Lola Turner recalls that his farm equipment was sold following the accident. She says a hay fork rope broke throwing him to the ground breaking his leg and some ribs.

After Margaret died in 1918 he moved in with his daughter Ada Taylor and family. Herman “Mike” Taylor, Ada's son, remembers his Grandpa as his buddy.

Lola Turner say Francis Marion was known as an honest, hard working man, respected by all who knew him.

Obituary:

Francis Marion Park was born in Warren County, Illinois, July 22, 1850 and departed this life February 2, 1922 at the home of his daughter Mrs. Peter Taylor 2 miles south of White Cloud at the ripe age of 71 years 6 months and 31 days.

The deceased was married to Miss Margaret E. Crane on September 8, 1875 in MacDonough County, Ill. To this union were born 8 children. Mrs. Park proceeded her husband across the Great Divide having passed away May 31, 1918.

He united with the Baptist Church when quite young and moved to Republic County, Kansas in 1885, where he resided for 2 years and then moved to Phillips County. From there he moved to White Cloud in 1894. He united with the Christian Church here during the revival meeting held by Rev. Nance.

Francis Park was one of ten children, seven of whom survive him, five sisters and two brothers. His eight children are as follows: Edward and Lawrence Park and Mrs. Edward Taylor and Mrs. Peter Taylor all of White Cloud, Thornton Park of Bilow, Mo., Lewis Park of Manhattan, Montana, Alex Park of Abilene, Kansas and Mrs. Francis Porter of Lawrence, Kans.