The Chariton Leader, Chariton, Iowa Thursday, November 19, 1908 The venerable JOSEPH PARKIN, of Union Township, died at his home on Tuesday. He was one of the well known men in the county. For the past year he had been in failing health and a few months since had an attack of heart trouble which at the time, it was not believed he could recover from, but he improved so that he seemed reasonably vigorous for a man of his years, but his vitality was surely gone, with the above result, at the later attack. He was one of the Lord's noblemen and his cheerful nature made it a real pleasure to be thrown in his company. MR. PARKIN was well advanced in years being not for from 80 years old at the time of his death; was a native of England, coming to America in his early manhood, settling first in Pennsylvania and thence to Lucas County, Iowa, where his companion died, a few years since. By birth he was an Englishman but a true American by adoption and when the great civil conflict arose enrolled himself in the Nation's defense and served until the issue culminated and peace was declared. No Grand Army meeting in the county was missed by his attendance, when able to be present and at the meeting of the recent County Veteran's Association in Chariton he made what he said might be his last speech, which it proved to be. His appearance that day, after his long illness, was pathetic. He gazed into eternity like the true hero he was. In all things he was loyal. To his country; his home; church, friends and fraternities. He was a licensed Minister of the M.E. Church, held to the religion of love rather than fear; his politics was reason over prejudice and clung to that broad fraternity of the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man -- a Christian, a patriot, a Methodist, a republican, a G.A.R. Veteran, and an Odd Fellow -- true to every profession -- a citizen in peace; a soldier in time of struggle. What more can be written? The flag is at half mast while the funeral is being held at Last Chance, today. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert April 11, 2005 iggy29@rnetinc.net