Daniel H. Park

PARK, HAGERMAN, MCCONNAUGHY, ROADMAN

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 11/16/2011 at 15:40:52

DANIEL H. PARK. As a worthy representative of the intelligence, the integrity and moral worth of the people of Beaver Township, Grundy County, the subject of this sketch occupies no ordinary position. He is widely and favorably known, and is well spoken of by rich and poor. He has been largely instrumental in the upbuilding of his township, and by a course of industry, prudence and good management has become well-to-do financially, and is now living in retirement on his beautiful farm.

A native of Westmoreland County, Pa., our subject was born October 31, 1837, and is the son of Cornelius and Catherine (Hagerman) Park, natives also of the Keystone State, where they were farmers by occupation. The father, who was born in Westmoreland County, still lives in his native place, and is retired from active work of any kind. In religious matters he was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was always actively interested in political affairs, and voted with the Democratic party. Mrs. Catherine Park, who was also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, died when in her sixty-sixth year.

John Park, the grandfather of our subject, was born in the above county in Pennsylvania, while his father, Zebulum Park, hailed from New Jersey. The latter was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, in which he served for seven years, and drew a pension of $8 per month until his decease. He was a farmer by occupation, and after his removal to Westmoreland County, still carried on that occupation. He lived to the advanced age of ninety-six years.

On the outbreak of the Civil War, Mr. Park offered his services to the Union army and enlisted in Company C, Eleventh Pennsylvania Regiment, in which he remained for eighteen months. Being then taken sick, he was discharged, and returning home, remained until March, 1865, when he became a member of the One Hundred and First Pennsylvania Regiment, in which he served until the close of the war. He participated in many hard fought battles in that period, and was prevented from entering the second Bull Run fight on account of having taken typhoid fever.

Mr. Park, at the close of the war, received his honorable discharge at Harrisburg, Pa., July 18, 1865, and was mustered out at Newbern, N. C. Then returning to Pennsylvania, he worked hard at the shoemaker’s trade for about a twelvemonth, and in 1866 came to Lucas County, this state, where he purchased one hundred acres of land, and there made his home for the succeeding five years. At the expiration of that time, having disposed of his property to good advantage, our subject came to Grundy County, and in 1871 purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Lincoln Township, to which he has since added until he now owns about three hundred and twenty acres. Mr. Park has placed his estate under the best methods of improvement, and is now living retired from active work on section 36, Beaver Township.

Miss Martha K., daughter of William and Polly J. (McConnaughy) Roadman, became the wife of our subject December 15, 1870. She was the eldest daughter in her parents’ family, and was born in Stahlstown, Pa., but was living in Wayne County, Ohio, at the time of her marriage with Mr. Park. She is a highly educated lady, and moves in the best circles socially. Her parents were natives of the Keystone State, and their sketch will be found elsewhere in this Record.

To Mr. and Mrs. Park the following three children have been born: Willimetta, Elmer and Clyde. Elmer is attending college at Mt. Vernon, Iowa, and is the parents’ intention to give all of the children collegiate educations. Politically, Mr. Park is a strong Republican, and is numbered among the substantial and valued citizens of Grundy County. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to whose support he is a liberal contributor.

Source:
Portrait and Biographical Record
of Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, Iowa
1894