I've been researching my ggg James Parks and his two children
by Eliza
Jane (possibly Clevenger Thornburgh). I've done quite a bit of
research with librarians and am unable so far to find birth or death
certificates on James or his son Isaac, so I am pursuing the daughter,
Lydia Jane Parks (first married to Smith Leonard) (second married to
William F. Mullen). She appears to be buried in Nottingham Cemetery,
Wells County, IN as Lydia J. Mullin in 1924.
I have the attached photo which my aunt in Iowa provided to me. She
thinks it is Isaac James Parks (1849-1904) but it is possible it could
be James Parks (1791 - ??). Isaac is said to have left his father's
home in IN at a very young age, worked in a circus and then married
Mary Catherine Ortman at age 20 in Wells County, Indiana and moved to
Iowa where he died in 1904 in Danbury, Iowa. I believe the man in
this photo to be older than age 20, and thus suspect it may be James
Parks, born in Virginia. I have labeled the photo "Isaac James"
because that is what my aunt believes, but I'm not positive of his
identity yet.
I notice that some of your photos contributed by Rita Elkins and
Jacque Heiberg involve the Mullen family. Lydia Jane Parks was first
married to Smith Leonard, who died in 1881, and she then married
William Franklin Mullen abt 1882. I see William F. Mullen and Lydia
J. in the 1920 census for Farmland, Randolph County, Indiana. Could
you put me in contact with either of these two Mullen descendants if
you do not have any information on my gg aunt, Lydia Jane Parks
Leonard Mullen?
Donna,
The only info I have on Lydia J. Parker (sic--the name I'd been given)
is that William Franklin Mullen married her 15 Sep 1882 at Nottingham
Wells Co., IN. William F. Mullen (sometimes known as Frank Mullen)
died 7 Apr 1924 in Randolph Co, IN. In his obituary "Retired Minister
Dead at Farmland" it states:
"The Reverend Frank Mullen, 86, a retired minister of South Street,
here Thursday morning following a short illness with pneumonia. The
deceased was a member of the 84th Indiana Volunteers in the Civil War.
The wife was dangerously sick the same time and died that evening."
Strangely enough, this same obituary states that the survivors "are the
widow, three daughters, Mrs. Sallie Davis, Mrs. Nettie Wells and Mrs.
Cortner, two sons Elmer and Alonzo Mullen of Farmland....and two
stepsons Ulysses Leonard of Farmland and Orla Leonard of Winchester."
In the 1900 census William F. Mullen is in Farmland, Monroe Twp,
Randolph Co IN, "Mullen, Lydia J. born Dec 1845 age 54 Mar 20 years
Born Ind."
In the 1910 census "Mullen, Lydia J. wife age 64 married 27 years Born
Ind had 9 children four of whom were living in 1910."
These notes were sent to me by a Clevenger descendant but I don't know
who compiled them. Hope this helps; let me know if it raises other
questions you think I could answer.
Rita