Parkhurst, John G. (John Gibson), 1824-1906

Lawyer at Coldwater, Michigan, Civil War officer, U.S. Marshal of Eastern District of Michigan and Minister to Belgium.

From the description of John Gibson Parkhurst papers, 1860-1909 (bulk 1860-1865) [microform]. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 85778501

From the description of John Gibson Parkhurst papers, 1802-1914. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 34419759

Parkhurst enlisted and was commissioned at age 37 in the 9th Michigan Infantry as a Lt. Col. on Sept. 10, 1861 at Coldwater (Mich.). He was captured at Murfreesboro (Tenn.) on July 13, 1862 and exchanged Dec. 3, 1862. He served as Provost Marshal, 14th Army Corps, Oct. 1863-Sept. 1865 and Provost Marshal, General Miltary District Tennessee, June 25-Nov. 10, 1865. He was discharged at Detroit (Mich.) on Nov. 10, 1865. For gallantry and meritorious service he was named Brevet Brig. Gen., U.S. Volunteers on May 22, 1865. After the war he lived in Coldwater (Mich.). He was appointed Marshall for the Eastern District of Michigan in 1866. (For further information see the 9th Michigan Infantry regimental history and Parkhurst's book, "Recollections of Stone's River", describing his Civil War experiences.).

From the description of Marshall Appointment Certificate, 1866. (Clarke Historical Library). WorldCat record id: 41953601

Union army officer.

From the description of Papers, 1864-1896. (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 20072063

John G. Parkhurst was born April 17, 1824 at Oneida Castle, New York. He attended Oneida Academy, then studied law in the office of N. F. Graves. He was admitted to the bar in 1847. He moved to Coldwater, Michigan in 1849 and open up a law practice. With the outbreak of the Civil War, Governor Blair appointed Parkhurst to be lieutenant colonel of the 9th Michigan Infantry. He was taken prisoner at Murfreesboro in July 1862, spent three months in a Southern prison, and was exchanged in December 1862. He served as lieutenant colonel and colonel in the 9th Michigan Infantry, provost marshal of the 14th Army Corps and of the Military District of Tennessee, and was brevet brigadier general of U. S. Volunteers. He served under General George H. Thomas

From 1866 to 1869 he was marshal of the Michigan District. A life-long Democrat ran for various offices, usually without success. President Cleveland rewarded his service to his party and to the nation, naming Parkhurst as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States to Belgium. He served from 1888 to 1889. In 1893, President Cleveland commissioned him postmaster of Coldwater where he served until 1897.

Parkhurst had many other interests. As early as 1849, he was engaged in the insurance business which he continued throughout his life. He also invested in farm lands and participated in veterans organizations. He died May 6, 1906.

From the guide to the John G. Parkhurst papers, 1802-1914, (Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan)

John G. Parkhurst was born April 17, 1824 at Oneida Castle, New York. He attended Oneida Academy, then studied law in the office of N. F. Graves. He was admitted to the bar in 1847. He moved to Coldwater, Michigan in 1849 and open up a law practice. With the outbreak of the Civil War, Governor Blair appointed Parkhurst to be lieutenant colonel of the 9th Michigan Infantry. He was taken prisoner at Murfreesboro in July 1862, spent three months in a Southern prison, and was exchanged in December 1862. He served as lieutenant colonel and colonel in the 9th Michigan Infantry, provost marshal of the 14th Army Corps and of the Military District of Tennessee, and was brevet brigadier general of U. S. Volunteers. He served under General George H. Thomas.

From 1866 to 1869 he was marshal of the Michigan District. A life-long Democrat ran for various offices, usually without success. President Cleveland rewarded his service to his party and to the nation, naming Parkhurst as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States to Belgium. He served from 1888 to 1889. In 1893, President Cleveland commissioned him postmaster of Coldwater where he served until 1897.

Parkhurst had many other interests. As early as 1849, he was engaged in the insurance business which he continued throughout his life. He also invested in farm lands and participated in veterans organizations. He died May 6, 1906.

From the guide to the John Gibson Parkhurst papers (microfilm), 1860-1909, 1860-1865, (Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan)