My Genealogy Hound

RUSSEL PARK, farmer, P. O. Higginsport. This gentleman is from a progenitor, William Park, of whom mention is made in the history of Lewis Township, and a son of John Park, who was born about 1790 in Pennsylvania, where he acquired a common education and learned the trade of a wheelwright, which he followed but little after reaching the then wilds of Ohio. On March 17, 1812, he married Nancy Bright, who was born at Pennsylvania, in 1787. Seven years after their marriage, they moved to Ohio and settled on the farm now owned by Russel Park, in Lewis Township. After having toiled and labored a period of ten years in the primeval forest, the death messenger called his wife October 3, 1829, leaving him and two children, viz.: Russel and Rachel, His second companion was Elizabeth Clark, born October 12, 1793, this union existed until his death, June 6, 1857, and she, too, followed December 19, 1865, having had one child, now deceased. When John settled in the new country, all was as nature had formed it, but with energy and industry the forest was transformed into productive fields. His occupation was farming. In religion, he was a Presbyterian. As is seen in the general history, he was a prominent citizen of the township. The gentleman, whose name heads this sketch, was born in Pennsylvania January 8, 1815, but from four years of age has resided in Brown County, Ohio. He matured amid log huts and pioneer difficulties and acquired a common school education. He remained at home until eighteen years of age, when he engaged in learning the saddler’s trade in Felicity, Clermont Co., Ohio. After completing his trade, he worked as a journeyman several years, when he opened a shop in Higginsport, where he labored twenty years; but at this time he resumed his boyhood occupation on the old home farm, which he now owns. It consists of 142 ½ acres under good cultivation and fair improvements. A part of the present house is the original one, built about 1820, and in which the post office was kept. Mr. Park has been twice married, first, December 7, 1854, to Miss Mary Hodkins (origiaally Hodskin), born September 5, 1827, and died February 11, 1879. Six children were the fruits of this union, but at her death only one survived — the wife of Jacob Groepenbacher. Mr. Park married for his second wife Mrs. Elizabeth Soward, whose maiden name was Minnen. She was born July 5, 1825, in Mason County, Ky., and was educated in Dover.