PLYMOUTH |
The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History |
||
 |
|||
|
Mr C J PARK, MPS
Charles James Park was born in 1854 [1] at Charlton, near Woolwich, Kent. He was the youngest son of Fleet-Engineer G Park, Royal Navy. [2] He moved to Plymouth when his father was appointed to Devonport Dockyard and completed both his education and his apprenticeship in the Town. After qualifying as a chemist in 1875, he worked briefly in London, Paris and Torquay, before settling in Plymouth. He commenced business on Mutley Plain in 1880. [2] At the time of the census in 1891 Mr Park was living and working at number 1 Mutley Plain, which was then on the corner of Alexandra Road. He had an assistant, 32-years-old Mr John Johns, from Aberdare, Glamorganshire; a widowed housekeeper by the name of Mrs Ellen Shepherd; and a 22-years-old general domestic servant, Miss Rose Holton, from Plymstock, Devon. [3] BY 1902 Mr Park's business was at number 23 Mutley Plain, where it remained until it closed. [4] Mr Charles James Park married Miss Maud Stephens at Emmanuel Church, Mannamead, Plymouth, on Saturday June 2nd 1900. [5] For some ten years prior to the Great War he was a member of the Council of the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain and also served as president of the Plymouth and Devonport Pharmaceutical Association. After the Great War he served on the War Grants Committee for the Plymouth area. Mr Park was a keen Freemason. [2] After being suddenly taken ill just three days previous, Mr Charles James Park died at his home, number 23 Mutley Plain, on Saturday March 11th 1933. [2] The funeral took place at the Church of Saint Andrew's on the morning of Wednesday March 15th 1933, from where his body was conveyed to Efford Cemetery for burial. Mr Park was survived by his widow, one son, Mr Charles Armstrong Park, and two unmarried daughters, Miss Muriel Maud Park (later to become Mrs Foulkes) and Miss Elizabeth 'Betty' Margaret Park (later Mrs Warren). [6] In May 1983 the Plymouth & South Devon Co-operative Society Ltd purchased the premises [7]. But Mr Charles Armstrong Park did not retire until December 31st 1983 and the fittings and fixtures, which came originally from his father's first shop further along Mutley Plain, were to be auctioned off. [8] However, the shop was full of original and fascinating Victorian pharmaceutical goods and machinery and in 1984 the Park Pharmacy Trust was formed to preserve these items. They were removed and used to set up a complete Victorian chemist's shop in the Merchants' House in Saint Andrew Street, Plymouth. The Museum is open to visitors. Mr
Charles Armstrong Park died on May 6th 1998 at the Red House Nursing Home,
Yelverton. He was survived by one daughter, Jane, and two sons, Tim
and Robert. There was a Memorial Service at Meavy Parish Church on
Wednesday May 13th 1998. [9] Sources:
|
|||