Parsons, Susannah (Harper) 1808-1895

PARSONS, HARPER, HOLLEN, HIXON

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 5/10/2005 at 07:25:55

The Newton (IA) Record, Friday, April 19, 1895, Page 1, Column 2
A Pioneer Called Home

Parsons, Susannah (Harper)

Last Thursday evening, Grandma Parsons, a dear old mother in Israel, surrounded by her loved ones, quietly passed from this life to the beautiful "home beyond the river." She had been very frail for many weeks, and her death would not have been a surprise at any time. Her age was 87 years and 23 days. For many years she has made her home with her daughter, Mrs. E. N. Hollen, in this city.

Susannah Parsons, whose maiden name was Harper, was born in Randolph County, Virginia, on the 19th day of March 1808. On the 7th day of October 1828, she was married to George Parsons, with whom she came to Iowa in 1852, and settled in Jasper County in 1853, on the farm now known as the Malaka Creamery, and owned by their son, Mr. H. D. Parsons.

In 1842 Mrs. Parsons united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which she remained a faithful and consistent member until her death.

She was the eldest of a family of 12 children, 5 sisters and two brothers still survive her. She was also the mother of 13 children, 6 of whom, four sons and two daughters, remain to mourn her loss. Grandma Parsons was so well identified with the history of Jasper County that a review of her life need not be given here. Her sterling, Christian character was known to all who came in contact with her. The funeral services were held in the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Newton, of which she had been a member for 37 years, on Easter Sunday, at 2:30 p. m. conducted by her pastor, Rev. E. C. Brooks, assisted by Revs. C. C. Harrah, J. S. Nasmith, E. J. Rice, and Sumner T. Martin. A large audience testified the esteem in which she was held. The remains were lovingly lowered into the grave by her three sons, H. D., George W. and N. L. Parsons, and her nephew, Adam Hixon, acting as pallbearers. And on the anniversary of the day when her Savior rose triumphant from the grave, her body was laid away, to wait the final resurrection of the just.

Originally submitted by Volunteer Transcriber