John L. Parsons

PARSONS, CLUTTER, BECK, CHENEY, FOREMAN

Posted By: Karen AD (email)
Date: 11/30/2008 at 18:44:15

A Narrative History
of
The People of Iowa
with
SPECIAL TREATMENT OF THEIR CHIEF ENTERPRISES IN
EDUCATION, RELIGION, VALOR, INDUSTRY,
BUSINESS, ETC.
by
EDGAR RUBEY HARLAN, LL. B., A. M.
Curator of the
Historical, Memorial and Art Department of Iowa
Volume IV
THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Inc.
Chicago and New York
1931

JOHN L. PARSONS. The professional life of John L. Parsons, of Fort Dodge, was passed upon the highest plane of a lawyer's work, but recently he gave up the practice of law and became manager of the Builders Supply Company of Fort
Dodge, with which concern he has been connected since March, 1930. John L. Parsons was born on a farm in Calhoun County, Iowa, May 4, 1883, and is a son of Thomas and Mary H. (Clutter) Parsons. His father, who was born in England,
came to the United States about 1879 or 1880 and settled on a farm in Calhoun County, Iowa, where from small beginnings he rose to be one of the
substantial men of his community. He won the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens, took an active part in public life, and after serving for some time as a member of the board of county supervisors was sent to the State
Legislature, in which body he served with signal ability for three terms. His death occurred in 1928.

Mr. Parsons was a stanch Republican in political matters, belonged to the Knights of Pythias, and during his entire life was a devout member of the Congregational Church and took an active part in its movements. In Iowa he was united in marriage with Miss Mary h. Clutter, who was born in Ohio, and died about 1899, and they became the parents of three children: Alfred H., who is
engaged in agricultural operations in Calhoun County; John L., of this review; and Flora E., the wife of Charles H. Beck, of Fort Dodge.

John L. Parsons attended the public schools and Cornell College, at Mount Vernon, Iowa, and in 1907 embarked in civil engineering, a vocation to which he gave the greater part of his attention until 1928, being principally engaged
in drainage projects. In the meanwhile he studied law under the preceptorship of D. M. Kelleher, and in 1926 was admitted to the bar, although he did not start active practice until 1928, after which time he built up a large and
representative clientage. He has large land holdings which require his attention. Mr. Parsons belongs to the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Fort Dodge and is a member of the board of stewards. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Masons and has served as secretary of his lodge. In September, 1918, he entered the Officers Training Camp at Camp Humphreys, where he was commissioned a second lieutenant, but was not called upon for overseas service, receiving his honorable discharge in December, 1918. A Republican in his political affiliation, he has served as president of the local school board since 1927, and was formerly county engineer of both Humboldt and Webster counties.

In 1907 Mr. Parsons was united in marriage with Miss Laura Cheney, who was born in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, and graduated from Cornell College as a member of the class of 1906. They are parents of three children: Elsie L., who
married Harold J. Foreman, who is connected with the Register and Leader, Cedar Rapids; Lawrence C., who is attending the junior college at Fort Dodge; and Carol, attending the junior high school.

Submitted by:
Debbie Clough Gerischer
Iowa History Project