Parsons, Hess D.

PARSONS, HARPER, MENDENHAW, WYDELL, HOLLAND, GOSLEE, MENDENHALL, BANK, WIDELL, MILBURN, RAMSEY, WOODS, DARK

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/13/2009 at 17:49:10

Hess D. Parsons, one of Jasper County's most popular and influential residents, and Malaka Township's most successful stock-raiser and dairymen, is the descendant of a wealthy Virginia family. His grandfather, George Parsons, was throughout his entire life a resident of West Virginia, where he was an extensive slave owner and man of wealth. He was a prominent and enthusiastic Democrat, and a farmer by occupation. A large, portly man, he had a powerful physique, and retained until his death, at seventy, the vigor which had characterized him in life's prime.

The father of our subject, George Parsons, was born the old plantation in West Virginia, and was reared to manhood in that state, receiving excellent educational advantages in his youth. He learned the trades of a blacksmith and wagon maker, and manufactured the wagon in which the family came to Iowa. His wife, whom he married in 1827, bore the maiden name of Susanna Harper and was of Dutch ancestry, her father having been a native of Holland. After his marriage, George Parsons received from his father a small tract of timberland, upon which he cleared a space of sufficient size to admit the erection of a cabin. That place continued to be his home until 1843, and in the meantime be suffered all the hardships incident to life upon the frontier. His father had offered him a slave, but, being opposed to the institution, he refused to accept the gift.

As early as 1843 George Parsons came to Iowa, traversing the entire distance from the Old Dominion to the Hawkeye State in a wagon, his family coming at the same time in a carriage drawn by four horses. The trip was attended by many hardships and discomforts, and all were glad when their destination was reached. For a time they resided east of Newton, after which they came to Malaka Township, where the father entered three hundred; and-twenty acres and also purchased a tract of eighty acres of partly improved land. The lumber for his house he hauled from Burlington, and by arduous labor finally improved a farm. In those days harvesting was done in the old crude way, harrows were made in the shape of the letter A, and other farming machinery was equally crude in design. Mr. Parsons brought him a corn plow, but the nature of the soil there was such that he was unable to use it successfully.

A man of great energy, George Parsons was prospered in his farming and stock-raising enterprises. Among his prominent characteristics may be mentioned close observation, careful reflection, soundness of Judgment, practical views and a wide range of interest. His faculties were well balanced and he was, perhaps, inclined to conservative rather than radical views and actions. He was public spirited, always deeply interested in what ever he thought promised to advance the well-being of society. He was one of the men, of whom the number is none too large, who give their time, knowledge and thought, almost without reservation, to promote public interests and private happiness. While he moved in the best circles of Jasper County, he was well known to the cultivated and poor, who trusted and loved him. He had wide circle of acquaintances and friends, to whom his pleasant home was always open. His house stood for cheer, counsel and hospitality. It was therefore a source of regret to all when, in 1856, Mr. Parsons passed away, at the age of fifty-four years. He possessed a deeper religious nature, and for many years was connected with the Methodist Church at Newton. Though eight miles away, every Sunday found the family in their accustomed places at church, to which they rode on horseback, there being a horse for every member of the family. The widowed mother of our subject is still living, and makes her home with her sister in Newton.

The subject of this sketch was born in West Virginia, April 17, 1843, and was less than a year old when brought by his parent to Iowa. Being the eldest son at home in the family, a large part of the work fell upon his shoulders, and at an early age be was initiated into the duties connected with rural life. His opportunities for attending school were limited, but through reading and self-culture, he has become well informed. He was one of thirteen children, of whom six are now living, viz.: Alvernon, who lives in Newton; Harper J., a resident of California; Geraldine, the wife of James Mendenhaw, of Montana; Hess D., of this sketch; George W., an inventor of numerous machines and a resident of Newton; and Newman L., whose home is in Newton Township, Jasper County.

Residing with his mother until twenty-six years of age, our subject was theft united in marriage with Miss Mary, daughter of George Wydell, a native of Pennsylvania. The Wydell family came to Newton, Iowa, in the year 1866, where the father followed the occupation of a fanner. He was a carpet weaver by trade, and had charge of an establishment while residing in Lebanon County, PA. Mr. and Mrs. Parsons are the parents of three children, the eldest of whom, Hattie Bell, died at the age of seven months. Lula and Mary Pearl are the surviving children.

In 1882, Mr. Parsons embarked in the creamery business on small scale, but has constantly increased his facilities until the present time, when the output of butter averages thirty-three hundred pounds per day; he has churned as high as five thousand pounds per day. The most improved machinery is used in the creamery, and the products marketed, principally in Philadelphia, New York and Baltimore. In 1887 all the buildings burned to the ground, causing total loss, as there was no insurance. Mr. Parsons decided not to rebuild, but friends and neighbors prevailed upon him to change his determination, and assisted him by drawing bricks and sand for him. The houses were rebuilt, and in three weeks the creamy resumed operations. Formerly he kept as many as eighty milk cows, but be does not now do so.

In addition to his dairy interests, Mr. Parsons engages in stock-raising and has a herd of Short-horn cattle numbering about, ninety head of the purest blood. Among them is the celebrated animal, "Band Master," which was bred by Amos Crookshank in Scotland, and imported by Luther Adams. This herd took the first premium at the Iowa State Fair, the purse being $250. Mr. Parsons is also the owner of an animal which took the first premium ay the World Fair. He owns about sixty horses, among them the well-known "Toronto," of Percheron stock, which was imported by George Metz, of Palo, IL. Poland-China hogs also command some attention, and Mr. Parsons has about four hundred of very fine stock.

The Parsons farm resembles a small village, having on every hand buildings of various sizes, each adapted to its peculiar purpose. Mr. Parsons is a man of exemplary habits, and has never used tobacco or intoxicating drinks. Politically, he has voted twenty-eight Republican tickets, and expects to continue voting that ticket so long as he lives.

From the perusal of the above, one might conclude that Mr. Parsons has been an exceptionally fortunate man, and such, in some respects, he has been. However, he has had his share of misfortunes, and his life has not been smooth sailing. In 1867, on account of an accident in a threshing machine it was found necessary to amputate his left arm at the shoulder. Three times have wagons run over him, and once he was lost for one day on the prairie, where his feet were frozen, he being rescued when almost perished with hunger and cold. He is a man of powerful physique, brawny and muscular, well fitted by nature and individual preference for the career of pioneer, farmer, stock raiser and dairyman. Portrait and Biographical Record, Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, IA Page 182.
================================================
Parsons, Hess D.

In all that constitutes true manhood and good citizenship Hess D. Parsons, one of the best known and most substantial of Jasper County farmers, is a notable example and none stands higher than he in the esteem and confidence of the community honored by his citizenship. His career has been characterized by duty faithfully done and by industry, thrift and wisely directed efforts he has acquired a liberal share of this world's goods, besides earning a reputation which has never been clouded by the commission of a single unworthy act. He is a man of good judgment and pronounced views and while keeping himself well informed upon current events and taking a lively interest in all public affairs of his Township and County he has never had the faintest desire to exchange the quiet and contented life of the cozy farm for the distractions and cares which usually come to the man who fills official stations. He has worked hard for that which he now possesses, and knows how to appreciate the true dignity of labor and to place a correct estimate upon the value of money. Nevertheless he is liberal in his benefactions and stands ever ready to support with his influence and means all measures for the material and moral welfare of his community. He is one of our esteemed pioneer citizens, having cast his lot with the people of this locality when the wild prairie sod was mostly unused to the plowshare and neighbors were few, and here he has played most excellently his part in the drama of civilization.

Hess D. Parsons, well-known proprietor of "Malaka Stock Farm," one of the "show" places of this section of the County, was born in Randolph County, West Virginia, April 17, 1843. He is the son of George and Susannah (Harper) Parsons, natives of Virginia, the father born in 1802 and the mother in 1804. They grew up, were educated and married in the Old Dominion, finally emigrating to Jasper County, Iowa, where they became well established on a farm in Malaka Township, and became prominent in the affairs of the same, and here they both spent the remainder of their lives, the father dying in 1856 and the mother in 1902. Their family consisted of thirteen children, named as follows: Mrs. Almarine Holland, Marion, Mrs. Emeline Goslee are all deceased; Harper J. lives in California; the next two children died in infancy; Mrs. Geraldine Mendenhall, and Mrs. Tamaranda Bank are both deceased; Hess D., of this review; Susan Margaret is deceased; George W. lives in Newton; Louise is deceased. These children were all born in West Virginia, except the youngest, whose birth occurred in Jasper County, and they were all practically reared here.

Hess D. Parsons came with his parents to Jasper County, Iowa, in 1853, the long journey being made in an old-fashioned "prairie schooner," and required six weeks, many interesting incidents of this trip being recalled by the subject. There were no railroads in Iowa at that time and the country was wild and sparsely settled. The father entered land from the government in Malaka Township, the subject now residing on the same, being in possession of the old homestead. He owns four hundred and eighty acres of as fine land as the county affords and this he has placed under a high state of cultivation and improvement and he has a commodious and attractive home and large, convenient barns and up-to-date farming machinery, in fact, everything about the place indicates thrift, prosperity and good management. He has been a careful student of soils, grains, rotation of crops, in fact, all phases of modern agriculture and he has been repaid by abundant crops annually. In connection with general farming, which he carries on extensively, he finds time to devote much attention to live stock. He has one of the finest herds of registered shorthorn cattle in the state, and they are universally admired and find a very ready market at fancy prices at his annual sales which he has conducted at his farm for years. He is also a raiser of Poland-China hogs, but not the registered class. He is regarded as one of the best judges of live stock in the county.

Mr. Parsons was married on February 16, 1869, to Mary Widell, who was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, on February 3, 1845, and there she spent her girlhood and received her education, coming with her parents to Jasper County, Iowa, in 1867 and here she has since resided continuously. She is the daughter of George and Mary (Milburn) Widell, both natives of Bedford County, Pennsylvania, the father born on November 20, 1816, and the mother on May 3, 1823; there they grew up, received their education in the common schools and were married and spent most of their lives. They emigrated to Jasper County, Iowa, upon the date mentioned above and here spent the remainder of their lives, the father living but a short time, dying in 1868, the mother surviving over thirty years, her death having occurred here in 1901.

There were six children in the Widell family, named as follows: Mrs. Sarah Ramsey and Amanda are deceased; Mary, wife of Mr. Parsons of this review; Mrs. George Woods is living in Newton; Mrs. Ella Dark lives in North Yakima, Washington; William K. lives in Newton. These children were all born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania.

To Mr. and Mrs. Parsons three daughters have been born, two of whom are living, namely: Lulu Jasper, born April 7, 1870, lives in Newton; Hattie, born April 20, 1874, died on December 22d of the same year; Pearl Marie, born September 8, 1880, lives with her parents on the home farm, where she and the other children were born. In addition to a good common school education, these two daughters have received excellent musical training, each being talented in this, the highest of the fine arts; the youngest attended the State University of Iowa.

Mr. Parsons is a Republican in politics. He has ably served his community as township trustee and as a member of the board of education for many years. Mrs. Parsons is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Newton.

Mr. Parsons met with the misfortune of losing his left arm in early manhood while threshing; but this seemingly untoward circumstance did not thwart him in his life work, and nothing daunted he pushed forward with renewed determination and has succeeded beyond the average farmer and stock man, having accumulated a splendid property and a competency through his individual enterprise. The Parsons home has long been noted for its hospitality and genial atmosphere and the family is prominent in the social life of the community. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 1280.