Thomas Parkinson was born June 15, 1829 in Lancshire, England and was a subject of the Government of England and of the Queen.

He came to the United States of America in 1845, when 16 years of age. He received his naturalization papers at a Term of the County Court held in and for the County of Hood in the town of Granbury on the 11^th day of September in the year of our Lord, 1889. Present, the Honorable H.T. Berry, Judge Presiding, Witness, J.H. Hiner, Clerk of said Court.

Thomas Parkinson and Miss Susan A. Walker were married July 22, 1855, and lived in the Centre Mill Community. (It is now known as the Temple Hall Community.) They resided here until his death on January 22, 1890. During his lifetime he owned and operated a flour mill and gin on Mill Branch. He also owned several hundred acres of land in Hood County.

He has four grandchildren living in Hood County today. They are Mark Parkinson, Richard Parkinson of Granbury, Fernoy Parkinson and Mrs. Zelma Parkinson Bennett of Temple Hall.

Several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren also live in the area.