OSCAR V. PARKINSON. One of the most prominent mercantile establishments of Centralia is that of Parkinson & Hartman, at No. 106 East Broadway. Since the formation of the present partnership, February 1, 1889, the house has enjoyed a lucrative trade, to which they are justly entitled by the uniform fairness of their business transactions and the courtesy displayed to customers. They carry in stock a complete assortment of dry goods, carpets, cloaks, etc., and occupy two floors, the first being devoted to general merchandise, and the second to carpets and cloaks. Steady employment is given to nine clerks and a cashier.
The success attained by this mercantile house is largely due to the efforts of the senior partner, who although still a young man, lias had long and varied experience in business and is thoroughly competent to successfully carry on a large enterprise. Mr. Parkinson has spent his entire life in Centralia, where he was born June 25, 1861. He is of Scotch-Irish descent. His great-grandfather was a native of Scotland, whence he emigrated to the United States and settled in South Carolina, where the grandfather, Hugh Parkinson, was born. From that state the latter removed to Illinois, and located in Centralia during the latter part of the '50s. With the assistance of his sons he built the old South Town (now the Johnson) Mill, and previous to that he established a mill at Walnut Hill, Marion County. He remained a resident of Centralia until his death.
William M. Parkinson, our subject's father, was born in Tennessee, and was a young man when he came to Marion County and settled at Walnut Hill. At that place he engaged in the milling business, which was carried on under the firm name of Hugh Parkinson & Sons. In this county he married Miss Sarah A. Cunningham, daughter of Mathew Cunningham, a native of Ireland. He emigrated to this country while quite a young man. First locating in South Carolina, he afterward removed to Marion County, ILL., being one of its earliest settlers.
During the Civil War Mr. Parkinson enlisted as a private in the Union army and afterward was promoted to the rank of Captain of Company B, Eighth Louisiana Colored Regiment. He died in the hospital at Milliken's Bend, La., at the age of thirty-two years.
In politics he was a Republican, and served as Alderman and in other positions of trust. In religious connections he was identified with the Covenanter Church. At his death he left a wife and two children, Oscar V. and Zettie F., all of whom -are residents of Centralia.
The only son of the family, Oscar V., received a good education in the public schools and the Cincinnati Business College. Upon leaving school he entered the employ of W. McKnight, and continued as a clerk in his dry-goods store for about twelve years. Later, entering business for himself, he formed a partnership with W. II. Cullimore, the firm title being Parkinson & Cullimore. Six months later A. D. Bailey purchased Mr. Cullimore's interest, and after eighteen months Mr. Bailey's interest was bought by E. A. Hartman, whose connection with the firm still continues. For several years the firm has occupied the M. C. Kell Building, where they have fitted up one of the most elegant and complete establishments of the city.
In 1887 Mr. Parkinson was united in marriage with Miss Mora E. Bumgardner, who was born and reared in Salem, ILL., receiving an excellent education in the schools of that place and of St. Louis. The father of Mrs. Parkinson, Benjamin F. Bumgardner, was at the time of her marriage a resident of St. Louis, and for eighteen years held the position of mail agent on the Ohio & Mobile Railroad. He is now engaged in business at Trinidad, Colo.
Mr. and Mrs. Parkinson are the parents of two children, Charles B. and Benjamin W.
Politically a Republican, Mr. Parkinson has for years been an active worker in his chosen party at Ccntralia, and for one term served as Alderman.
Socially he is identified with the Knights of Honor, in which he has been Trustee; also with the Knights of Pythias, and is at the present time Chancellor Commander of that fraternity.
He and his wife are prominent members of the Presbyterian Church, in which he officiates as an Elder.
Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois"
Chapman Publishing Co, Chicago, 1894
Pages 366 & 369
Submitted by Sandy (Whalen) Bauer