The Butler weekly times and the Bates County record. (Butler, Mo.) 1918-1950, 1922-06-01
PEYTON PARKS DEAD
Prominent Lawyer Died at His Home
in Clinton Friday Evening.

CS lOll "a. aims, OliC Ol liS U~'I
known lawyers in Missouri died at his
home at Clinton Friday evening, May
Goth, after an extended illness With
the passing OF Mr.. Parks the state
loses one of its best known members
OF the bar and one OF its most distin-
guished citizens In politics he was
Democrat and while he never aspired
10 office his counsel was always
eagerly sought by the leaders of the
party.
lie was intensely patriotic and dur
ing the late war he gave much OF his
time to the service OF his country and
did Il great work i'll the Red Cross
and in the floating OF the different
bond issues. A writer in the Henry
County Democrat says that even then
he began to show symptoms of bodily
weakness and fatigue but notwith
standing he continued III the work,
and it is probable that his efforts at
that time so sappcd his vitality that
his end was fastened.
| The following history OF his lie is
taken from the Henry County DEM
ocrat:
lie was the only son in the family
OF that sturdy pioneer jurist OF Henry
county, Judge James Parks, who was
ior twenty years Probate Judge OF
Henry county. There We're besides
HIM, five daughters, one OF these be-
ing the wife of Hon. c. {. Dickinson,
OF Clinton, The onIy.othcr surviving
SISTER is AIRS Laura Harris. Of Idaho
Falls, Idaho. -Four generations OF the
Parks family have been connected
with the legal profession in Clinton,
the patcrnal grandfather OF Peyton
Parks having been one OF Missouri's
early settlers and laid out and helped
tound the city Of Clinton, where he
was one Of the earliest and promi-
nent members OF the bar.
peyton A. Parks was born in Gin
ton August -, 1855, and was conse-
qutntly approaching his ozth birthday.
He attended both the public and pri-
vatc schools Of Clinton, was one OF the
first graduating class ffom the Gin
ton high school. and when twenty
years Of age took up teaching. being
lor three and hall years. principal
ol the Montrosc schools. During this
period he took up the study Of the
laN during his leisure hours and fol-
lowing his admission to the lar, en-
tered upon active practice, being as
soci&tcd with his father. Ii, entire
llfc since then was devoted 10 the
lcga! profession.
On September 2Ist, 1882, MIR. Parks
was united to Miss Mary Gathright,
d native OF Galloway county, this state
who survives him. To them was born
one son, James A. Parks, who has for
several years been associated with his
father in the practice of the law.
Some five years ago, Mr.. Parks
submitted to major surgical opera
ton to seek relief and This was sue
ccssful, it seeming for while that he
would regain his wonted health.
Shortly after this, however, his heart
became affected, and this malady con-
tinued with increasing severity. A
few months ago he was stricken with
paralysis and practically ceased his
profession, but there were frequent
re!apses and recurring ATTACKS OF
weakness, which soon made Ii mani
fest that his end was rapidly ap-
preaching. During the ten days pre-
ccedng his death, he was confined 10
his home and his suiferings were very
severe. The day before his passing,
he lapsed into unconsciousncss which
continued until he passed into the
sleep eternal.
Mr.. Parks was a charter member o:
Clinton Lodge OF the Benevolent,
Protective Order OF Elks. and at
special session OF the lodge held OH
Friday night, the announcement of his
death was made in the beautiful ritual
is tic ceremonial provided in such
cases.
The funeral services were held at
the Parks home, corner East Frank
lin and Fourth street on Sunday after
noon at o'clock and we're conduct
ed by Rev. Risk, pastor OF the church.
assisted by the former pastor, Rev.
w. T. Davis, now of Cameron, Mo.
- Basket Dinner.