WI BIO - PARKINSON, John Barber & Marshall M.
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol II, pp 590-591, 613

Biography of John Barber PARKINSON - pp 590-591 (father of Marshall M.)

Professor John Barber PARKINSON, a successful business man of Madison [Dane 
County, WI], was born in Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois, 11 April 
1834, a son of Peter and Valinda (BARBER) PARKINSON [see also the Lafayette 
County, WI, PARKINSON biographies, one of which gives the maiden name of 
Peter's wife as Belinda BARBER, and the name of one of his daughters as 
Valinda], a native of East Tennessee and North Carolina, respectively. The 
father [Peter PARKINSON], a farmer by occupation, moved to Illinois at the 
age of twelve years. The paternal grandfather of our subject, William 
PARKINSON, was born in 1805 [note the Lafayette County, WI, PARKINSON 
biography which states that Peter, not William, was born in 1805, and gives 
the birthdate of Peter PARKINSON as 18 February 1805, in Carter County, TN], 
and removed to Wisconsin from Illinois in 1817. The [p 591] paternal great 
grandfather was a Revolutionary soldier, and met an accidental death while 
crossing a stream. The maternal grandfather, John BARBER, was a Presbyterian 
minister and a pioneer of Illinois.

John B. PARKINSON, the third of twelve children [note the Lafayette County, 
WI, PARKINSON biography which states that Peter, the father of John B., had 
thirteen children], six now living, was brought to Iowa County, now Lafayette 
County, Wisconsin [Lafayette County created from a portion of Iowa County in 
1846], at the age of two years. His early educational advantages were such 
as the times afforded, which were later supplemented by a preparatory course 
in Beloit College [Beloit, Rock County, WI]. He then, when ready to enter 
college, took charge of an overland expedition to California, where he was 
engaged in mining three years. In the spring of 1855 he returned to 
Wisconsin, and the following year he entered the University of Wisconsin 
[Madison, Dane County, WI], and after graduation in 1860, he spent one year 
as tutor in the university. He was then elected County Superintendent of 
Public Instruction in La Fayette County [WI], which position he held one 
term; taught in the academy in that county; was appointed regent of the 
university; then became a member of the faculty in 1867; was president of the 
Centennial Convention of Wisconsin. In company with his brother, M. Romer 
and R. M. BASHFORD [see also the Dane County, WI, biography of Robert McKee 
BASHFORD], he bought out the "Wisconsin Democrat." In 1876 Professor 
PARKINSON was called to the Chair of Polity and Political Economy, which 
position he still holds; has been vice president of the University of 
Wisconsin since 1885; has always been identified with the Democratic party; 
was twice selected as candidate for State Superintendent of Public 
Instruction; in 1888 was chosen a candidate for Congress, against LA FOLLETTE 
[see also the Dane County, WI, biography of Robert Marion LA FOLLETTE]; and 
was chairman of the Central Committee.

Our subject [John Barber PARKINSON] was married 19 December 1862 to Jane GREY 
[GRAY?], a native of Mineral Point [Iowa County], Wisconsin, and a daughter 
of Robert GREY [GRAY?], a soldier of the Black Hawk War, and a merchant of 
Mineral Point. Mrs. PARKINSON was a student at Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, 
Michigan. Our subject and wife have had eight children, five sons and three 
daughters: (1) Marshall M., a grain and commission merchant of Madison 
[WI]; (2) Mary, wife of A. T. SCHROEDER, an attorney at Salt Lake City [Salt 
Lake County, UT]; (3) John Monroe, assistant professor of Civil Polity in 
the University of Wisconsin; (4) Ben Carroll, principal of the public 
schools of New Lisbon [Juneau County], Wisconsin, and who will enter a law 
school this fall; (5) Henry Grey, a student in the Latin class of 1880, is 
now first assistant in the Fond du Lac [Fond du Lac County, WI] schools, and 
who will also study law in the fall; (6) Stanley Barber, (7) Harriet, and 
(8) Myra. Professor PARKINSON has prepared lectures on English and American 
Constitutional Law and on Political Economy. Religiously, he is a member of 
the Unitarian Church.

Biography of Marshall M. PARKINSON - p 613 (son of John B.)

Marshall M. PARKINSON, secretary and treasurer of the Miller Lumber Company, 
Madison [Dane County], Wisconsin, is one of the most enterprising and 
obliging young business men of the city. Mr. [Marshall M.] PARKINSON was 
born in Fayette, La Fayette County, Wisconsin, 30 September 1862, a son of 
John B. and Frances June (GRAY) PARKINSON. [Maiden name GREY?] His father 
is a professor in the University of Wisconsin and is vice president of that 
institution. The family moved to Madison [Dane County, WI] when Marshall M. 
was five years old. After attending the public schools, he entered the 
university, took a classical course, and graduated with the degree of B. A. 
in 1884. He served as Deputy Sheriff one year. Then he went to Columbus 
[Columbia County], Wisconsin, and took the management of the lumber yards of 
Farham, Allen & Company, which place he filled most efficiently for seven 
consecutive years. He identified himself with the Miller Lumber Company of 
Madison in July 1892, since which time he has served as its secretary and 
treasurer.

On 26 November 1889, Mr. [Marshall M.] PARKINSON married Adelaide NEWCOMB, of 
Columbus [Columbia County], Wisconsin. They have one child, Kathryn. His 
political views accord with Democratic principles, and he is vice president 
of the Madison Cleveland Club.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly