ISAAC W. PARKINSON, a leading representative of the skillful and enterprising farmers and stock-raisers of Berreman Township, is numbered among its most substantial and influential citizens, and has the distinction of being the first male child born of white parents in the township, his birth having occurred here Jan. 23, 1845. His father, James Parkinson, was a native of Pennsylvania, born April 29, 1806. He was a farmer by occupation, and, in October, 1832, married Miss Christine Hoy. She is a daughter of George and Elizabeth Hoy, natives of Pennsylvania. Her mother died when she was six months of age, leaving a large family, and Mr. Hoy contracted a second marriage. In the spring of 1839 the parents of our subject left their native State, and, coming to Illinois by the way of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, landed in Savanna, Carroll County, April 29, that year. They were accompanied by a brother of Mr. Parkinson, Isaac W. Parkinson, who now makes his home with our subject. The country was then wild, and but sparsely populated, and when they arrived in Berreman Township, which was then a part of Pleasant Valley, they found that but few settlers had preceded them. Mr. Parkinson bought 640 acres of wild land of Mr. Thomas Deeds, one of the original settlers of the place, on which he at once settled and began to improve a farm. Mr. Parkinson was a true type of the early pioneer, energetic and capable, self-sacrificing and hospitable; a true Christian gentleman, whose doors are ever open to the needy and hungry. He became prominently identified with the public life of his adopted township, and served as its first Supervisor. All enterprises to advance the material prosperity of the county were warmly supported by him, and to men of like character it is indebted for its present important position in the Commonwealth of Illinois. In politics, he was a firm Republican. Religiously, he was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which for many years he held the various offices. He died on the homestead Oct. 2, 1865. His widow, a bright and intelligent lady of seventy-seven years, is living with her daughter, Mrs. A.C. VanBebber, in Savanna, Ill. She is also a communicant of the Methodist Church. Of the thirteen children born to her and her husband seven are now living: Jane, the first white child born in Berreman Township; Isaac W., Fanny, Chrissie, George W., Silas D., and Josiah B. For further record see sketch of Silas D. on another page of this work.

Isaac W., of whom we write, has been a life-long resident of this township. He attended the pioneer school of the early days, which was held in a log school-house and supported by subscription. It was located near the present residence of the Toxalls in Pleasant Valley Township, of which Berreman than formed a part, the townships not having been divided until 1857. He received a careful training from his parents, who taught him to be industrious, honest and frugal if he would succeed in life. After the breaking out of the late war Mr. Parkinson enlisted in the defense of our country, and its institution in Company B, 144th Illinois Infantry, and served as Seargent (sic). At the expiration of his term of enlistment our subject re-enlisted as a private in Yates’ Phalanx, Company G, 39th Illinois Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He was not in any severe engagement, but assisted in driving Gen. Price’s band from Jefferson, Mo., and also did duty at Alton, Ill., in guarding and transferring prisoners. He received an honorable discharge at Camp Butler, Ill., Dec. 16, 1865. Three brothers of our subject also fought in the Rebellion, John, William, and James. John enlisted as Sergeant of Company 1, 3rd Missouri Cavalry, was injured while on a raid, and died in the hospital at Palmyra, Mo., Feb. 10, 1862. William enlisted as Corporal in the 15th Illinois Infantry, and was killed at the battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862. James was a volunteer in Company E, 15th Illinois Infantry, and died of camp fever, Oct. 2, 1861.

After receiving his discharge Mr. Parkinson returned home and resumed his agricultural pursuits, and has since then been engaged in farming and also teaching school occasionally, for which vocation he is amply qualified by education and temperament. He owns a rich and productive farm of 250 acres, pleasantly located on section 5, Berreman Township, on which he has made substantial improvements and has erected a fine set of buildings.

Mr. Parkinson was united in marriage with Miss Maggie McLenahen Sept. 16, 1866. She is a native of Freeport, Ill., a daughter of James H. and Margaret (Crissman) McLenahen. Her brother M. B. McLenahen is head clerk in Marshall Field’s establishment in Chicago. The family circle of our subject and his wife have been completed by the birth of seven children: Minnie Adelle, Fanny Belle and Warden Washburn (twins), James W., Benjamin F., Sylvia May, and John Logan. Minnie, whose marriage was celebrated at the residence of our subject Sept. 16, 1886, the twentieth anniversary of the wedding of her parents, is the wife of Julius Withhart, one of the proprietors of the city meat-market of Savanna, Ill., and they have one child, Adelle; Fanny, married Fred P. Withhart of the firm of Withhart Bros. proprietors of its city meat-market of Savanna, Ill., and they had one child, Ivy, now deceased.

Mr. Parkinson is a man in the prime of life, well endowed mentally and physically, and has contributed his full share toward the intellectual, moral and material progress of his native township. In civic affairs he takes an active part, having filled the office of Supervisor four terms and has served as Township Assessor, discharging the duties thus incumbent upon him with characteristic concientiousness (sic) and ability. In politics he takes a deep interest, and is a sound Republican, attended the National Conventions in Chicago in 1880 and 1884. Socially, our subject is prominently connected with Maltby Post, No. 520, G. A. R., of which he was a charter member and is now Commander. Both he and his amiable wife are influential members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has held all of the offices.

Contributed by Carol Parrish - Portrait and Biographical Album of Jo Daviess and Carroll Counties, Illinois (1889) Pg 333