Lemuel Parke was born 11, October,1823. Died 04,January, 1897. Married to Mary Fred on 01, November, 1849 He is buried in McCord cemetery at Perry County, Illinois. Lemuel was a Blacksmith by trade. He was in the Mexican War where he enlisted at Griggsville,

Pike County, Illinois on May 1,1847, and was honorably discharged on October 1,1848, at Burnsville, Bourbon County, Kansas. He walked from Leavenworth, Kansas to Santa Fe, New Mexico to get there. While in the west, He was riding a little white mule one day and it was shot out from under him, from an ambush. He met up with explorer Kit Carson in the west and Carson wanted him to join up with his outfit, but Lemuel had decided to go back to Illinois. Supposidley, He was also at Pike's Peak near Denver Colorado. He enlisted on the Union side in the Civil War in August, 1861. His last battle was the capture of Fort Esparango, Texas,in the fall of 1863. In june of 1864 he resigned and returned home to his family. Lemuel started in the war as an elected Captain of Company F ,1st Illinois and He worked up to the rank of Leitenant Colonal for The 99th Illinois.

"Knights of the Golden Circle" an anti union outfit were somewhat active in some parts of the country, including Perry, Illinois. One time when Lemuel was home on forlough, the government sent a shipment of guns to Perry, Illinois to "protect" the town. The towns people were afraid to claim them. Lemuel gave permission for the guns to be sent to his home. That night, George Carey, a boy from Perry, was late getting the cow's rounded up for milking. He heard men talking in the ally beside the barn and listened to what they were saying. They were plotting to go to Lemuel Parke's that night and get the government guns. The boy let others know what he had heard.

Lemuel and his wife(Mary Fred) were sitting up in the dark waiting for what might happen. They saw some men talking across the street, But they didn't come any farther. Latter they came to find out that men were hiding out around the premises to help out if the "Knights of the Golden Circle" Closed in.

<> ADDITIONAL BIO -Pike County IL
Combined 1872 & 1912 Atlases, Page 63

Lemuel Parke Was born in Claremont county, Ohio, October 11th, 1823. He is a twin child of John and Susan Parke, said twins being their first born. His father was a native of Tennessee, but removed to Ohio at an early age. The Colonel's opportunities for obtaining an education were very meager, and he may, therefore, be called a self-made man. After he was grown he learned the blacksmith trade, and in 1841 he came to Pike county, Illinois, locating in Perry. He worked at his trade in various places until the breaking out of the war with Mexico, when he enlisted, in the spring of 1847, in company "K," 6th Illinois regiment, commanded by Col. Newby. They marched across the plains to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where they had quite a skirmish with the Navajois Indians. He remained in the service eighteen months, when he received an honorable discharge and returned to Illinois, and soon after married Miss Mary, daughter of Israel Fred, Esq., formerly of Ohio. Mrs. Parke was also born in Claremont county, Ohio, in 1825. They have had a family of five children. One daughter, Elizabeth, is married to John Lutz; the remainder of the family are single.

Mr. Parke, after his marriage, carried on his business at Griggsville, and was so engaged until the breaking out of the rebellion, when, in August, 1861, at the call of President Lincoln for 75,000 volunteers, he laid aside the pursuits of peace and the endearments of a happy family and raised a company. He was elected captain of company "C," 27th regiment Illinois volunteers, commanded by Col. N. D. C. Buford. They were mustered in at Camp Butler, Springfield, and from there proceeded to the seat of war, where they participated in the battle of Belmont and in the siege of Island No. 10. In May, 1862, he resigned, on account of physical disabilities. After recruiting his health, in August following, he raised another company, and was elected lieutenant colonel of the 99th regiment Illinois volunteers. They were immediately sent to the front, where they were engaged in the battle of Hartsville, Missouri, and Magnolia Hills, Mississippi, which was on the morning following the crossing of Grant's army into Mississippi. He was also in the battles of the siege of Vicksburg. His last battle was at the capture of Fort Esparango, Texas, in the fall of 1863. In June, 1864, he resigned and returned home to his family. On the 20th of March, 1865, he enlisted in Hancock's veteran corps, remaining in the service until March, 1866, when he was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky. During all that long period of service he never received a wound, though his bravery on the battle-field is never questioned.

Politically, Col. Parke was a democrat previous to the rebellion, since which time he has been a republican. To use the valiant Colonel's language, he thought he could not vote one way and fight another. The Colonel is a benevolent, kind-hearted gentleman, and is highly respected by his fellow citizens. He is now residing at his residence, four miles west of the village of Perry Springs, enjoying excellent health.

Contributed by Deanna Sharkey (Find-A-Grave)