Parsons, Harriet (Noble) 1838-1926

PARSONS, NOBLE, PECK

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 11/9/2011 at 12:20:16

The Grinnell (IA) Herald; Jan. 31, 1926

MRS. HARRIET PARSONS DIES
-------------------------
Funeral Services Were Held Monday From Home of Her Daughter, Mrs. Peck.
-------------------------
MRS. PARSONS WAS ONE OF IOWA'S REAL PIONEERS.
-------------------------
Came To This State with Her Parents In 1838, When Less Than Six Months Old.
-------------------------

One of the real pioneers of Iowa passed to the other shore when Mrs. Harriet Noble Parsons died Thursday morning at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Grace Peck. Mrs.Parsons came to Iowa in the fall of 1838 and with the exception of four years in Minnesota and two in Missouri had made her home in this state constantly since that time. She would have been ninety years of age next May.

Mrs. Parsons was born in Essex, Vermont, May 5, 1838, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Revillo Noble. That same fall when the little daughter was less than six months old, the family consisting of the parents and six other children, started on their long journey west into the unknown land of Iowa. They traveled all the way by wagon until they reached their new home on land which Mr. Noble had taken up not far from Davenport. Part of this land remained in Mrs. Parsons' possession for many years, being disposed of not long ago.

She was married Dec. 1, 1874, in Chicago, to Francis J. Parsons and they first made their home in Big Rock, Iowa. In 1866 they moved to Wilton Junction and lived there until they moved to Grinnell in 1891. Here Mrs. Parsons has made her home ever since. Her husband died in 1899 and during the closing years of her life she has received the tender care of her daughter, Mrs. Peck. Mrs. and Mrs. Parsons had one other daughter, Genevieve, who died in infancy.

Mrs. Parsons was of real New England stock. A Congregationalist through and through, she was all her life a devoted and interested church member, active and helpful in all church activities as long as her health permitted. She came to Grinnell the same year as Rev. E.M. Vittum and was a loyal helper during his pastorate.

She had been a member of the Read and Reflect Club for at least twenty-five years and her opinion was always sought and respected in any matter involving that club. She was laying her plans to entertain her club when stricken by her last illness.

Herself both a grand daughter and a great grand daughter of the Revolution, Mrs. Parson was much interested and very proud of her membership in the D.A.R. Chapter here. For a number of years she had been asked to lay the wreath on the cross dedicated to Revolutionary War heroes at the Memorial Day service and she was always glad and proud to have this part in the service.

Her church, her club and the D.A.R. provided her three great interests outside the home during the years of her later life.

She was a lover of the best things of life and was always generous according to her ability toward all worthy projects. Her life was a Christian life, a helpful life and a life devoted to good works. Many will miss her straightforward outlook on life's problems and will remember thankfully her advice and example.

Funeral services were held Monday afternoon from the home of Mrs. Peck, in charge of her neighbor and long time friend, Dr. E.A. Steiner, assisted by her former pastor, Rev. E.M. Vittum and Dr. W.W. Bolt, the present pastor of the Congregational church. Mrs. E.B.T. Spencer sang very sweetly, "Crossing the Bar" and "Asleep in Jesus." Pall bearers were W.J. Nelson, C.A. Miller, S.J. Pooley, D.M. Cox, F.P. Marvin and Professor W.J. Rusk.

Present from out of town to attend the funeral were Mrs. Parsons' nephew, W.M. Parsons and wife of Des Moines and her stepson, E.B. Parsons, of Denver, Colo.