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         THOMPSON M. PARSONS, a pioneer of Louisa County of 1836, now residing on section 23, Jefferson Township, was born in Hardy County, W. Va., Nov. 28, 1818, and is a son of Isaac and Mary Elizabeth (Green) Parsons, both of whom are also natives of the same county. His father was reared upon a farm, and served as a soldier during the War of 1812 as Captain of a company of cavalry. He was a great reader, a well-educated man, and took an active part in public affairs, being a leader in any community where he resided. In the month of March, 1836, he migrated to Louisa County, Iowa, settling in Jefferson Township, where he entered a claim of 160 acres. This was wild, uncultivated land, but he at once began its improvement and soon developed a fine farm.

Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Parsons: Caroline became the wife of John Brown, though both are now deceased; Ann A. married James Palmer, and the death of both occurred in Jefferson Township; our subject was the third in order of birth; J. Green died at the age of twenty-three years; James died when twenty-one years of age; Rebecca is now the wife of a Mr. Foster, of Washington Territory; Jane Elizabeth was united in marriage with Washington Williams, of Muscatine County, Iowa; Isaac died in 1857, at the age of twenty-seven years; Frances married a Mr. Black, a resident of Missouri. In 1834 the death of the mother occurred, and Mr. Parsons again married the following year, Ann Whiting, a native of Virginia, becoming his wife. One child was born of this union, a daughter, Ellen. The death of his second wife occurred in 1838. Mr. Parsons was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics was a Whig. His death occurred in November, 1852, at the age of sixty-three years.

Our subject was reared upon a farm in West Virginia, and made his first visit to Iowa in 1835, locating a claim in Muscatine County. The following year, 1836, he came to this county with his father, making his home with him until his death, which occurred in 1852. In the month of August, 1847, Thompson Parsons was united in marriage with Mary Hale, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of John Hale. In 1854 he purchased 188 acres of land on section 23, Jefferson Township. It had no improvements, being a wild, unbroken tract, but by his care and labor he soon developed a fine farm, which is now highly improved.

Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Parsons: Alvira, wife of Samuel T. Irvin, a resident farmer of Jefferson Township; Mary J., wife of D. C. Creswell, of Page County, Iowa; J. H., now living with his father; James, who married Lydia Herrick, a daughter of Henry and Delilah Herrick, the former a native of New York and the latter of Ohio; the young couple are residents of Louisa County. Abe and Harry T., who are still at home. Socially, . . .

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. . . Mr. Parsons is a member of the A. F. & A. M. He has served for nine years as County Supervisor from his township, and has ever been an active worker for the interests of the community in which he resides. For over half a century Louisa County has been his home. He has seen the wigwam of the Indian give way to the home of civilized man, has seen the prairie over which the wild deer roamed transformed into beautiful farms, the log school-houses and churches give place to noble edifices. As a pioneer and citizen we are pleased to record the sketch of Mr. Parsons in this volume among those of other men who rank high in the community.