PARSONS, Benjamin Battles 1817-1902

PARSONS, BATTLES, BLANCHARD, BISHOP

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 2/15/2013 at 17:06:44

[Waterloo Daily Courier, Saturday Evening, December 13, 1902]

Benjamin Battles Parsons, for forty years a resident of Black Hawk County, died at his home, one mile east of the city at 8 o'clock p.m. Dec. 12, 1902, of old age.

Deceased was born in Bennington County, Vermont, October 3, 1817, second son of Joseph (Battles) Parsons. He mother dying, his father moved to Wisconsin in 1849, and he followed two years later and remained there eleven years, when he came to Black Hawk County, where he had since resided.

He was married in his native state April 10, 1845, to Polly Maria Blanchard. Of the fruits of this marriage three sons and one daugther survive him: Rosco M., a physician, Traer, Iowa; F.A. Kansas City, Mo.; W.R. of Chicago, and Mrs. S.E. Bishop of Waterloo, all worthy and prosperous, such children as make the old age bright and peaceful.

When deceased came to this county he engaged in general farming until 1866, when he purchased the fine farm upon which he spent his last days.

He was a good man against whose life and character no derogatory word could be said. In brief he was a spiritualist, and at one time he told the writer, had taken an interest in propagating the cult. But the misrepresentations and misunderstanding of people in regard to the belief and of the effects of its teachings led him to make less show of it. Be he said, "We still have our meetings and every year adds to the popularity of spiritualism." This incident is related at illustrating in a measure, the disposition of the man to avoid giving offense even when less respect was shown to his way of seeing things. He was larger and more liberal than his critics. His life was blameless, which may be said to be negatively good; but it was filled with acts of kindness and helpfulness which is the positive good. It was rich in these repects. The manner of his life and the deeds he did in quiet charities. In his manliness in his dealing with his fellows form a beautiful legacy of priceless value in his children. His children were all present with him his last hour.

The funeral will be held at the house at 2 p.m. Monday, conducted by the Masons, of which order he was a member for forty years.

Mrs. Cora L.V. Richmond of Chicago will conduct the services. Interment will be in Fairview.