Ira Park
Ira Park, retired farmer, residing at Earlville, LaSalle Co., IL, was a pioneer of Shabbona Township, DeKalb Co., having located here in 1838. He was born in Massachusetts, in 1812, and is a son of Jonathan and Patience (Fox) Park. His parents moved to Ohio when the son was four years of age, where he grew to manhood. He followed the vocation of a farmer while in that State. He was married in Marion Co., Ohio to Matilda McNeal daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Finley) McNeal. She was born March 2, 1815, in Ireland, and came to America with her parents when she was two years old.
Mr. and Mrs. Park were the parents of six children, as follows: Elizabeth was born in Marion Co., Ohio, Aug. 13, 1832, and died Dec. 18, 1876; John B. was born in Marion Co., Ohio, Oct. 26, 1834; Sarah A. was born at Holderman Grove, IL, Feb. 10, 1838, and died Dec. 15, 1865; Levi W. was born in Shabbona Township, June 12, 1841, and died May 7, 1869; George F. was born June 17, 1849, in Shabbona Township; and one child died in infancy.
Politically, Mr. Park is a Republican; and himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of DeKalb County, Illinois: Chapman Brothers, 1885, Chicago, IL
