Fortunately Gretchen's letter did survive (I have the handwritten original),
and her hope that "someone of our family will value them greatly" is
provided by you readers.
Gretchen was b. 1897 in Knoxville, PA, d. 1987 in Sebring, FL She was a dau.
of Charles F. Holbert & Mary Virginia Goodspeed.
Her husband, James Gordon Parks was b. 1892 in St. Paul, MN and d. 1925 at
Robert Packer Hosp., Sayre, PA. He was a son of Emma Kilbourn (1868 - 1924)
& James M. Parks (1858 - 1930); son of Benjamin Parks (1820 - 1889) & Mary
Campbell (1830 - 1866); dau. of Mary Blackwell (1806 - 1863) & James
Campbell (1798 - 1865); son of Mary Harper (1749 - 1844) & Joseph Campbell
(1748 - 1822). Mary Blackwell was a dau. of Enoch Blackwell (ca 1764 - 1816)
and Sarah LUGG Clinch Blackwell Campbell (ca 1777 - 1867).
Gretchen had another child that she didn't mention in the letter, Martha
Parks, born and died Apr. 9, 1919. There was a fourth child, John Goodspeed
Parks (1922 - 1930).
James Gordon Parks, Jr. d. Sep 17, 1997. He married twice (but not as far as
I know to Miss Harrison). He has 4 children.
Benjamin Reed Parks d.Sep 4, 2004.He also married twice and has 4 children.
"Villa and Clyde" refer to Clyde William Campbell, b. Jan 11, 1888 in
Nelson, PA, d. Jul 23, 1942 while president of the Campbell Reunion. Clyde's
wife, Rovilla Eleaonr Ordway, was b. Aug 16, 1888 in Town of Woodhull,
Steuben Co., d. Apr. 26, 1942 in Elkland, PA.
Note that Gretchen list Ben as going to High School for his elementary
grades. Presumably a single building housed all the grades.
Bill Thompson, Current Pres. of the "resurected" Campbell Reunion, which
resumed in 2000. See you at the Nelson Community Center next year..