Henry Parsons (1857-1932)

PARSONS

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 10/3/2022 at 10:31:56

Henry Parsons
February 12, 1857 – August 4, 1932)

Center Township probably has no more influential or popular citizen than the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. He makes his home on section 20, and has been prominently identified with the agricultural interests of the county for several years. A native of England, he was born in Surrey County, February 12, 1857, and was eleven years of age when he left that country and came to the new world in the summer of 1868, in company with his parents, Henry and Hannah (New) Parsons. After spending five weeks in Chicago the family located in Sterling, Illinois, where they made their home for one winter. In the meantime the father purchased one hundred and sixty acres of wild land in Lee County, Illinois, near Dixon, the county seat, and when the Illinois Central Railroad was built through that section of the state the town of Harmon was established within a quarter of a mile from his residence. There he continued to live until 1895, when he removed to Wheaton, Illinois, where he now resides. Mr. Parsons, of this review, remained under the parental roof until he attained his majority, and then came to Calhoun County, Iowa, winch has since been his home. He removed to Cedar Township in March, 1893. His first purchase of land consisted of a wild tract of eighty acres in Cedar Township, this county, but as the years have passed and he has prospered in his farming operations he has added to his property from time to time as his financial resources have permitted, and today owns three hundred and twenty acres of well improved land under a high state of cultivation. He feeds considerable stock for market, and is a breeder of Poland China hogs, Shropshire sheep, and Hereford and short-horn cattle. Success has crowned his well directed efforts, and he is today one of the most prosperous and substantial citizens of his community.
On the 22d of January, 1880, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Parsons and Miss Armeda P. Clutter, who was born in Athens County, Ohio, July 20, i860, and was five years old when she came to Iowa with her parents. After residing in Marion County for a time the family came to Calhoun County in 1875, and here the parents both died. Eight children bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Parsons, namely: Sarah B., born January 5, 1881; Hannah M., May 6, 1883; Nellie M.. June 25, 1885; Mary J.. June 11, 1887; William H., December 26, 1889; Olive L., October 5, 1892; Mabel A., May 28, 1895; and Edna A., April 6, 1898. The three oldest daughters attended the graded schools of Rockwell City and became well qualified to teach. Sarah B., now the wife of Le Roy Barr, a farmer of this county, taught in the district schools for two years prior to her marriage, and Hannah M. is now teaching her second term. Both are members of the Presbyterian church, to which their mother also belongs. Mr. Parsons takes an active interest in educational affairs, and has been an efficient member of the school board of Cedar township, this county, for eight years. He has also filled the office of township trustee, serving in that capacity at the present time. Since its organization he has been a prominent member of the Farmers Mutual Insurance Association of Webster and adjoining counties, and is now one of the directors. He was president of the Farmers Alliance of Cedar Township for four years, was also secretary of the Farmers Institute held at Rockwell City, February 11 and 12, 1902, and is one of the leading and representative citizens of his community. [Source – Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S.J. Clarke, 1902, p.402]