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- Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 493, 494, and 497
Baldon PARSONS, who resides on section 25, Buchanan Township, claims the honor of being a native of Jefferson County -- and it is an honor of which few as old as he can boast -- his birth having occurred on the 11th of April, 1839. His father, John R. PARSONS, was born in Randolph County, W. Va., December 22, 1806, and was of German and Irish descent. He married Diana PARSONS, who though of the same name was not related. She was also born in Randolph County, June 22, 1811, and was a daughter of one of the Revolutionary heroes. The marriage of the parents of our subject was celebrated December 11, 1827, and in 1836 they left their native State, where Mr. PARSONS had previously carried on farming, and started for Iowa, but winter overtook them ere they reached their destination, one of the children was taken sick and they determined to spend the winter in Illinois. The husband, however, in company with Sexton Mount, crossed the Mississippi on the ice, made his way directly to Jefferson County and near Brighton located a claim, after which he returned to his family. The following April, accompanied by wife and children, he completed the journey to Jefferson County and located on section 30, Lockridge Township, where he built a pioneer cabin and began life in true frontier style. He was one of the progressive farmers of the county and succeeded in accumulating four hundred and eighty acres of land. He brought the first reaper and the first mower into the county, was among the first to introduce Short-horn cattle and made a specialty of raising fine stock. He also helped to make the coffin for David Coop, the first white man buried in the county. He served as township trustee for several years and also one term as a member of the Board of County Supervisors. He helped to lay out the now flourishing city of Fairfield and in many other ways was prominently identified with the county's interests and deserves no little credit for the labors he put forth for its advancement and progress. In politics he was a life long Democrat and both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church from childhood. Mrs. PARSONS passed to the better land August 28, 1876, and on the 27th of November, 1882, having survived his wife six years, the death of Mr. PARSONS occurred. He stood in the front rank of any enterprise for public improvement, was honored as a citizen and friend, and in the church was one of the most faithful and devoted workers.
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1851 - 1918 (66 years)
