July 23, 1834
St. Louis, MO

Dr. J__

It is with a degree of pleasure I improve a few moments in writing a few lines to you to inform you that I am about leaving this place for New Orleans tomorrow and Shall return again home in about one year if I am blest with my health which has been very good so far, except a very bad cold after a very hard journey in the stage from Chicago to Peoria, where I took passage in a steam boat for this place where I have been about ten days.  I like the looks of the places in the western County very well but I still think of going a little farther South.  I have wrote you one letter from Chicago but have not heard from home since I left for I have been traveling the most of the time.  Tell Nathaniel I have two gold pieces left yet and I fancy they will carry me about two thousand miles farther.  I still remain one among a thousand always happy when in trouble.  I could come home and settle down and be contented if there was anything to afford me a living, but as there is not I think I shall rove until I find something that bids fair, a man that has nothing can Loose nothing as long as he carrys a good character.  Wages is high South & Clothing Dear but I have enough to last one year.  I may return again to Milwaukee in the Spring as I am determine on owning some land in that place I no more. I hope to hear from Some of you soon.  Direct your letters to me ar St. Louis where I will leave word to have them forward.  I shall write to you again as soon as I get employ.  Give my respects to all who enquire after me.  Yours until Death  Henry H. Parkhill
}John T. Parkhill
 

Canastota, October 5th 1841
_____ evening

Dear Sir,
Having a few moments leisure I improve the same by requesting of you a favor. I wish you to go out to father Ellises and get such things as they may have ready for Laura and bring them to Durhamville or Canastota if you should come to Durhamville leave them with Bennett if not leave them at Crowses and I will settle with you for the same when I come down. I am now going West and shall return again in about eight days from today and when I go West again I shall want to take them with me as I think I shall go west the next trip.

My Respects to all
Your in haste
H. H. Parkell
 

Murphys Building May 1st 1888
San Francisco

My Dear Brother  From Alonzo I have just learned of your sad bereavement of your Wife & Son.  I can truly sympathize with you but as it is the will of God to afflict us we must submit.  We are all getting to an age that we must expect to be called away at anytime therefore we should be prepared.  Many of us have lived our alloted time.  I shall be if I live to Nov 10th seventy three and I am enjoying very good health.  I travel a great deal about the city almost every day many miles and do it much easier than I could fifteen years ago.  I am manufacturing Magnetic Garments and wearing them myself.  I find they keep me in good health and have affected many cures by thence. That is my sole dependence now and affords me quite a comfortable living for
myself & wife there is no others in my family now.  Sisters Betsey & Carrie are living at Petaluma about fifty miles from here.  I heard from them today they are all well as usual they too are getting old.  We visited Ada & Elnora at San Jose yesterday. They are well.  Ada has a baby two months old Her husband Clark Andrews is connected with the Grangers Store a very large establishment. Capt. Lapham Carrie Husband is just finished a large Hotel at Lake Tahoe where he spends most of his time.  My Wife went East last summer was gone five months.  Intended to call and make you a visit but was disappointed in collecting money due us and was short of money to go the
rounds as she contemplated. Her sister was living near Saratoga.  Our adopted Daughter was in N. York. She is connected with the Theater has traveled althrough the States and Canada as far as Montreal then Back as far as Kansas City and is now on her way to New york again.  Her stage Name is Annie Lockhart.  The Company She is now in is Frankie Kemble Co.  They have been travelling since Christmas will finish when they return to New York. She is a promising actress, has a fine Education and bids fair to make her mark in the profession.  We have no Encumberances and Enjoying life as well as we can or Means allow.  I would like to visit all my friends once more
but I fear I never shall.  Marilla regreted very much that She could not call on you when So near but She only had Money Enough to take her the Shorter route to St. Louis where she Spent two Weeks with Cousin fannie.  I Sent her Money to return with.  She visited Alonzos family.  Staid there three weeks and Enjoyed her visit very much. Now I must bring this to a close hoping to hear from you again.  Soon, I will send you a San Francisco paper so you can see what is going on here.  Remember us to all our friends there and with Love and Affection from your long absent Brother believe me Ever Yours Truly  H. H. Parkell
Marilla Sends Love to All