Fred Parks

Fred Parks was the father of my grandmother, Hazel Claire Parks. Parks is my middle name. I could probably still walk to his grave in Oak Hill Cemetery, Nashua, Iowa. I see that it is viewable in “Find a Grave” in case you want to look at it. BTW, I don’t know the person who entered it. Fred died in 1895 of gangrene. Attached is the letter of condolence from the doctor who tried to save his life. He was 34 and left a wife and 2 children behind. My grandmother was born in 1891. Cecil was born in 1889. (I met him once but that will be another post.) I spent a lot of time accompanying my grandmother in Oak Hill Cemetery. I don’t remember that it was fun but it was enlightening. Now onto the meat of this post.

“Fred Parks owned a pair of horse: Dick and Dan and a Democrat wagon. This is a wagon made as a buggy in front; but the back is extended like a wagon. A seat could be added to make three seats or could be stored in front to be used as a wagon.

Soon after the wedding. they packed the back end of the wagon with food and bedding and started for Ord, Nebraska. Since they were married December 22 and the distance of 500 miles and 20 miles a day was a good pace for man and beast.

He was 5 ft. 7 inches tall, weighed 150 lbs. Light brow hair, eyes blue. Date of death, July 31, 1895 from blood poison following an accident. Buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Nashua, IA. He was 34 years old.

Fred had his heel crushed while hauling logs. The chain broke and the log rolled off and caught his foot. It was in December. In May he tried to do his corn planting. He opened the wound and infection set in. He suffered continually until his death. He would not agree to having his leg cut off. The funeral was held in the Opera House (used by the Baptist Church, while their church was being built. My mother received two letters in the mail before the funeral. One a bill for 25 cents for a pound of butter someone had charged. The other from Dr. Gooddale. It said: “Dear Minnie, I am so sorry that I was not able to help your dear husband. But this is your receipt in full for all that I could not do. You have two two lovely children to bring up, without thinking of paying me. God Bless you through this trying time.”

The mill and bridge are both gone, but the house still stands... The last house on the north on the Greenwood cemetery street. -As per Hazel Parks Smith

This is why I think it is important to know your own personal past. Fred is my mentor as well as my ancestor. I look at the sole remaining image of Fred Parks several times a day to keep me focused.

Only known image of Fred Parks

Dogfennel