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         JOEL C. PARSONS, deceased, a pioneer of Louisa County, Iowa, of 1840, was born in Washington County, Pa., in 1814, and was descended from an old Virginian family. He was married at Pittsburgh, Pa., in 1840, becoming the husband of Caroline Joacham, was born in Baltimore, Md., and was descended from the Spanish. The same year Mr. Parsons emigrated from his native State to Iowa, locating at Mt. Nebo, in Grand View Township, Louisa County. For awhile he worked at his trade that of a cooper, at Grand View, and later built a shop near Mt. Nebo, where he pursued his business for several years. About the year 1848 he removed to Wapello, the county seat of Louisa County, where he opened a shop, and manufactured barrels for the flouring-mill at that place, and also for the pork packing house, the distillery, and for sale at Muscatine. He employed several men and carried on the business until 1880, . . .

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. . . when he returned to Pennsylvania, in company with his wife and six children, and died at Perryopolis, Fayette County, Nov. 20, 1885. He was a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Society of Friends all his life. During his residence in Iowa Mr. Parsons held the office of Justice of the Peace for several years, was a member of the I. O. O. F., belonging to Louisa Lodge No. 19, of Wapello, and was highly esteemed as a citizen and neighbor. Mrs. Parsons, who was a member of the Evangelical Church, and a most estimable lady, survived her husband, and died Aug. 2, 1887.

Mr. and Mrs. Parsons are the parents of eight children, five sons and three daughters: Mary A., who died Dec. 30, 1875; Abraham H., who married Miss Sarah A. Duncan, daughter of George B. Duncan; Benjamin F., who wedded Miss Keziah Edwards, and lives in Wayne County, Iowa; Caroline is the widow of William F. Sapp, a soldier of Lee County, Iowa, who died Dec. 32, 1875; Edward departed this life March 5, 1878; Nellie G. is the wife of Rev. A. A. Husted, of Perryopolis, Pa.; William H. became the husband of Miss Minnie Macer, and lives in Pittsburgh; George E. wedded Miss Nellie Macer, and also lives in Pittsburgh.