Mary Elizabeth Powell was a nurse during the Civil War, and possibly spent much time in battlefield hospitals. Her brothers were Union soldiers, as was her future husband, Christopher C. Parkinson. One of Mary's brothers was in the same company as Chris, but the Powells and Parkinsons had been neighbors and friends for years before the War, so it is unclear if Mary and Chris fell in love during the War, or if they had already been courting and delayed marriage until the end of the War.

Mary was tough as nails and raised her children to be hard workers. She was a kind, very intelligent woman, educated, and a strong Christian. Very close with her daughters, she encouraged their education and advised them to learn employable skills so they could support themselves and not rely on a man. This fact strongly indicates Mary was an early Women's Libber, not surprising when one considers her life experiences - the hardships and tragedies she overcame.

However, the fallout from the many emotional and physical traumas of the Civil War left their scars, not only for her but her husband Chris, also. It would not be a stretch to consider Chris and Mary suffered what we know today as P.T.S.D. after witnessing so much violence, mutilations and death on the battlefields. Soon after the hostilities ended and the United States became united again, Mary and Chris joined the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.), a benevolent society that assisted fellow Civil War veterans who, like them, were trying to rebuild their lives.

Eventually, the Parkinsons headed west to California, with stops along the way in Nebraska and Kansas, and settled in the Sacramento area around 1878 where Chris returned to farming. So far, no documentation has been recovered to tell us if they travelled by covered wagon or railroad, but I think they used the railroad, followed the tracks as they were laid and snaked farther westward. It is possible Chris worked for the Union Pacific Railroad as a way to secure their passage (for their sons were fascinated with trains and almost all later worked for the SP). However, I have not found documentation to support this period of Mary and Chris' life.

MARY ELIZABETH'S OBITUARY:

Found among historical family documents belonging to William Amon Parkinson, his wife Belle and his daughter Dorothy.

Below, Mary's obituary, transcribed from the newspaper clipping (Sacramento Bee):

PARKINSON-- In this city, July 8, 1928, Mary E. Parkinson, wife of the late Christopher C. Parkinson, mother of George L. Parkinson of Berkeley, Asa I., Wilbur(sic) F., Eugene D. and William A. Parkinson, Mrs. H.G. Thiele, Jr., and Mrs. Harry Snook of Sacramento, grandmother of Frances, Louis, Marjorie, May, Wilbur and Dorothy Parkinson; a native of Wisconsin, aged 80 years. Friends are respectfully invited to attend the funeral from the home of Miller & Skelton, 1015 Twentieth Street, Tuesday at 1 p.m. Interment Odd Fellows' Lawn.

Another version of this same obituary was printed in the paper under "Funeral Notices," this time apparently placed by Clara Barton Circle, No. 2, Ladies of G.A.R., a benevolent society of which Mary was a member:

"OFFICERS and Members of Clara Barton Circle, No. 2, Ladies of G.A.R., will meet at funeral parlors of Miller & Skelton to conduct the services for our late sister, Mary E. Parkinson, 1 o'clock Tuesday."
NETTIE BERNHARD Pres.


One more newspaper story recognizing Mary's passing:
Pioneer Resident
9 July 1928 , The Sacramento Bee, Sacramento, California, United States of America

Mrs. Mary Parkinson,
Pioneer Resident of Sacramento,
Dies
_______ _____________________
A residence of half a century in Sacramento and Yolo Counties came to an end with the death yesterday of Mrs. Mary E. Parkinson at her home, 1002 Q Street. She was a native of Wisconsin, aged 80. Mrs. Parkinson was a member of Clara Barton Circle, No. 2, Ladies of the G.A.R.
The funeral services will be held at 1 o'clock tomorrow afternoon from the Miller & Skelton chapel with Rev. Harley H. Gill officiating. The burial will be in the family plot in the Odd Fellows Lawn Cemetery.
Mrs. Parkinson was the widow of the late Christopher Parkinson. She leaves the following children: George L. Parkinson of Berkeley, Asa I., Wilbur(sic) F., Eugene D. and William A. Parkinson, Mrs. H.G. Thiele, Jr., wife of deputy county assessor and Mrs. Harry Snook, all of Sacramento. The following grandchildren also survive her: Frances, Louis, Marjorie, May, Wilbur and Dorothy Parkinson.