My Genealogy Hound

Joseph and John Parkin are enterprising farmers of Breton Township, Washington County. Their father, John Parkin, was born in Dufton, Westmoreland, England, and was married to Elizabeth Allon, in the town of Dufton. They resided in the town of Knock until 1829, then immigrating to the United States with their three children. John Parkin died on ship-board before reaching New York, and his widow, with her children and about twenty other emigrants, came westward, and settled at Mine-la-Motte, Madison Co., Mo. She married John Slee, in 1830, who emigrated from England to America in 1812. He settled in the State of Pennsylvania, where he resided for six years, then coming westward to the mines of Washington County, Mo. He died in February, 1865, and she February 26, 1874. Joseph Parkin, the eldest son, was born in England in 1817, and John, a native of the same place, was born in 1822. Their brother, Richard, was born in 1827. They came to this country with their parents. The earlier part of their lives was devoted to mining, but in later years they turned their attention to farming and stock-raising, Richard died in the service of the Union, in 1863. Joseph and John Parker, by industry, economy and good management, have been successful. Their farm is in a good state of cultivation, and both are numbered among the substantial citizens of Washington County, well meriting the esteem in which they are held. John Parkin married Mary J. Smith November 1, 1867. She was born in Washington County January 25, 1840, and is a descendant of the Smiths of Kentucky. They have one child, a daughter, Mary A.