My Genealogy Hound

Dr. F. M. Park is a well-known practicing physician and surgeon of Okolona, Ark., but his birth occurred in Floyd County, Ga., in 1833. George and Margaret (Townsend) Park, his parents, were born, reared and married in Walton County, Ga., and after the latter event moved to near Rome, where Mr. Park died in 1832. His widow afterward married a Mr. Henry Long, and with him removed to Texas, in which State she died in 1881, having been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Park was a farmer, and was a soldier in one of the Indian wars. The maternal grandfather, Hon. John Townsend, was a Virginian, who died near Rome, Ga., about 1848, having been a member of the Georgia Legislature from Floyd County some years. Dr. F. M. Park is the third of three sons and one daughter, and is now the only one living of his father's family. His youth was spent on a farm in his native State, where he received the advantages of the common schools, and here, in 1853, he began the study of medicine, graduating, in 1857, from the medical department of the Louisiana University of New Orleans. He immediately came to Okolona, Ark., where he entered upon the practice of his profession, and is now one of the oldest, best known and most efficient physicians in the county. He has always practiced among the best and wealthiest people of the community in which he resides, but ever promptly answers also to the calls of the poor and distressed. He was married, in 1859, to Martha, daughter of Reese and Martha Howell, of Mississippi, who removed to Clark County, Ark., in 1852, where Mr. Howell died in 1860, his wife dying in Mississippi. Mrs. Park was born in Tishomingo County, Miss., and died in 1881, leaving a family of two sons and five daughters: Frank, Charles, Ella (wife of Fletcher Surratt), Leila (wife of W. B. East), Josie, Johnny and Maggie. During the war Dr. Park was detailed by the governor of Arkansas to practice his profession at home, and here his life has been one of flattering success, as above stated. By his efforts he has acquired a handsome competency, and besides owning a fine home in Okolona, he has a farm comprising 240 acres. He has always been a Democrat, his first presidential vote being cast for James Buchanan, and socially he is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Robert Morris Lodge No. 106, of Okolona. He is a consistent member of the Methodist Church, as was his wife.