Ezra M. Parsons 1848-1920

PARSONS, CHAMBERLAIN

Posted By: Joe Conroy (email)
Date: 6/26/2010 at 12:01:35

The Carroll Times
Carroll, Iowa
10 Jun 1920
Page 1

E. M. Parsons Died Saturday Evening

Served Eight Years as Mayor of Carroll -- had Lived Here Since 1876 -- Had Retired.

Ezra M. Parsons, one of the highly respected pioneers of Carroll county died Saturday afternoon at the home of his son, W. E., who resides in the north part of the city.

Mr. Parsons had spent the winter in California and when he came home was not feeling as well as his friends had hoped he would. Later he was taken to the hospital where he remained for some time and just a few weeks ago he was taken to the home of his son, where he died Saturday.

He had been a resident of Carroll county since 1876 at which time he moved from Creston, Illinois. He went into the grain and live stock business and retired in 1902, since which time he has acted in the capacity of mayor for eight years and the remainder of the time has been spent as he wished to spend it.

In 1873 he was married and two sons were born, Charles H. and William E. Mrs. Parsons died September 25, 1889. He was a member of Signet Lodge No. 264 A. F. and A. M. and Copestone Chapter No. 78, Royal Arch Masons, and was loyal to both of the orders.

Those who knew Mr. Parsons the best are those who have the more to say for him as being a man who knew no friends, and had no enemies, while discharging his duties as mayor. The man who came before him got just what was coming as Mayor Parsons saw it. When acting as a citizen of the town, he had friends innumerable and recognized them as such.

The funeral was held Monday afternoon and all of the stores of the city was closed during the funeral hour. Rev. R. Burton Sheppard was in charge of the obsequies and a large concourse of sorrowing friends saw all that was mortal of Ezra M. Parsons laid to rest in the cemetery here.