The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1906-05-11
GREAT CAREER CLOSES
Death Suddenly Strikes Down General
John Gibson Parkhurst.
NOTED SOLDIER AND DIPLOMAT
6uccumbs While Making Notes In His
Diary-Won Honor and Fame Dur
ing Civil War-Served Five Years
as Minister to Belgium.

Coldwater, Mich, May S.-Maj. Gen
j. G. Parkhurst died suddenly Sun
day night, aged 50. He had been out
driving with his daughter in the after
noon. In the evening he sat at his
desk writing in his diary, when he
expired.
Gen. John Gibson Parkhurst In the
So years Of his life had been soldier,
lawyer, diplomat, politician and
always an honored citizen. Born in
Oneida county, New York. he had a
good academic education when at the
age of 81 he began the study OF law.
Tifty-six years ago he moved from
New York to Coldwater, where he
formed law partnership with George
A. Coe, who in 1855 became the first
acknowledgements of Michigan.
Made Memorable Speech.
When the civil war broke out John
Parkhurst, then 81, delivered mem
orable speech at the first war meet
ing in Branch county, or which Cold
water is the county seat, In which he
appealed to every citizen TO stand by
the Union. Soon after this speech
Governor Blair commissioned him
lieutenant-colonel Of the Ninth Michi-
gan infantry, and he went with his
regiment to the front in September,
'e1. Early in '62 he became the
Ninths colonel and his services then
on until the close of the war won him
place among the first Of Michigan's
citizen soldiers. In February, '62, his
regiment was ordered to engage in
the advance on Nashville. At the
battle of Murfressboro, July follow
ing, after holding his position with the
Ninth eight hours against seven times
superior strength and losing one-third
OF his men in killed and wounded, he
was captured and sent to Libby prison.
Made Provost Marshal.
Four months later he was eXchang-
ed in time TO report to Gen. Thomas
for the battle of Stone river. Owing
10 the reputation the Ninth made at
Murfreesboro, Gen. Thomas selected
1t as his provost guard and appointed
Col. Parkhurst provost marshal OF the
Fourteenth army corps. From De-
cember, go, to the close of the war
he was on Gen. Thomas's staff as pro-
vost acknowledgement, having the
Ninth regiment and sometimes two
other regiments and battery as pro-
vost guard under his command. In
this capacity he engaged in all Of
the battles of the army of the Cum
berland; had the supervision of all Of
the railroads of the department; all
military prisons; OF all prisoners of
war, and OF ali provost marshals. For
bravery at the battles of Stone river,
Chickamaugua and the Atlanta CAM
paign, he was, on the recommends
ton of Gen. Thomas, promoted to be
brgadicr-general.
After the war President Johnson APP
pointed Gen. Parkhurst United States
marshal at Detroit, but because of his
presence at the Philadelphia soldiers
convention, adroitly captured by John
son, the senate refused to confirm him.
He was a special agent of the treas.
try from 1867 to 1869, an unsuccess-
full candidate for congress in '76 and
for state treasurer in '76. In 1885
President Cleveland appointed him
United States minister to Belgium. He
served as minister till 1890.
Gen. Parkhurst in 1852 married AM
ella G. Noyes, who died 10 years later,
leaving two daughters. In 1863 he
married Mrs. Francis Josephine Fiske,
OF Lenox. N. Y.