Newton Co., IN Biography

   ELISHA PARSONS was born in Vigo County, Indiana, August 13, 1821, 
and is one of eleven children born to Elisha and Hannah (Taggert) 
Parsons, natives of Massachusetts and Rhode Island respectively, the 
former of remote Welsh, and the latter of English descent. The parents, 
when young, removed to New York, where they married and in 1818 removed 
to Vigo County, Indiana, and in 1855 to Parke County, where Mr. Parsons, 
Sr., died in 1837.  The family returned to Vigo County, April 11, 1869, 
Mrs. Parsons, Sr., died in Kankakee, Illinois.
   Elisha Parsons, our subject, after his father's death became the head 
of the family.  When twenty-five years old, he went to Kankakee County, 
Illinois, and lived with his brother two years, after which he owned and 
worked farms until 1868, when he came to this township, and soon after 
bought the farm of 560 acres upon which he still resides.
   Mr. Parsons has been twice married, first, May 1, 1840, to Orpha L. 
Sirpless, a native of Ohio, who died October 10, 1854, leaving two 
children--Edward E. and Frank C. (who died in April, 1883). Mr. Parsons 
next married, March 30, 1856, Eleanor J. Gartrell, a native of Maryland. 
 By this union they have had seven children, five of whom are living--
Charles A., Mary E., Henry T., Lucy G. and John E.  Mr. Parsons held 
various civil offices in Illinois, and is Recorder-elect of Newton 
County, Indiana.  He is a Republican, and one of the prominent men of 
the county.  

Newton County, Lake Township.  From A History of Warren, Benton, 
Jasper & Newton Counties, 1883.


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Submitted By Gerald Born
Email - Wizzofozl0@aol.com