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         JOSPEH J. PARSONS, deceased, was one of the leading men of Louisa County, and came to the county in 1836. His father, brother and himself were united in partnership in farming and stock-raising, in which they were quite successful. On the death of the father the brothers inherited the property, and continued the past industry. On the 1st of May, 1851, Mr. Parsons was united in marriage with Martha A. Smith, who was a native of Kentucky, but after four years of married life she was called to her last rest, her death occurring on the 1st of August, 1855. On the 14th of July, 1856, our subject was again united in marriage, with Sarah E. Smith, a sister of his former wife, but her death occurred November 21, of the following year. Mr. Parsons was married Oct. 27, 1859, Miss Mary E. Colman becoming his wife. She was a native of Virginia, and a daughter of Flemming and Lydia A. (Smith) Colman, her father a native of Virginia, and her mother of Ohio. In the year 1852 the parents emigrated to Louisa county, residing here for fifteen years, and then became residents of Wetmore, Col. Mrs. Colman died March 3, 1861. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Only two of the family are now residing in this county, Mrs. Parsons and David F. Colman, whose home is in Toolsboro.

Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Parsons: Douglas D., a resident farmer of Louisa County, Iowa; Olive L., wife of Will C. Smith, who is engaged in farming in this county; Asruble H., who is also a farmer of Louisa County; Walter F. died Aug. 1, 1872, at the age of two years and twenty-four days. On the 4th of February, 1880, the death of Joseph Parsons occurred at the age of sixty years. He was a member of the Methodist . . .

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. . . Episcopal Church, and an active worker in the cause. Like his brother and father, he was ever a leading man in the county which was for so long his home, doing everything in his power for its advancement and interest.

The estate held in common between the two brothers remained intact until Aug. 20, 1885, when it was divided, the children of Joseph receiving as their share 300 acres of land. The widow yet remains on the old homestead, and with her lives her aged father, now seventy-six years of age. Her brother-in-law H. J. N. Parsons, also makes this his home.