My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM PARSONS, Supervisor of Milton Township, and a well-known farmer of Cass County, was born in the township and county where he now resides, the date of his birth being January 18, 1851. His father, Benjamin Parsons, was born and reared in Delaware, and when about twenty years old came West to Michigan, settling in Cass County. Not long after he located here he established domestic ties, being united in marriage with Miss Mary Abbott, a native of Delaware, who accompanied her parents to Michigan when fifteen years of age. Her father, George Abbott, was a pioneer of Cass County and made his home here until his demise.

The parents of our subject were married in Edwardsburgh, after which they located on a farm in Milton Township and continued to make their home in this place until their demise. The father was forty-five when he was called from earth. The mother survived him a number of years, passing away at the age of sixty-five years and seven months. So honorable were they, so kind, thoughtful and considerate, that their memory is treasured in the hearts of many whom they befriended in years gone by. They trained their children to habits of usefulness and had the satisfaction of seeing them occupy positions of influence and trust. The family consisted of seven children, of whom all but one grew to manhood and womanhood. Of the survivors, all with one exception make their home in Cass County.

The second child in the family is the subject of this notice. He was reared in Milton Township and gained his education in the schools of the district. Early trained to the life of a farmer and the routine of agriculture, he naturally chose farming as his life vocation. For seventeen years he owned and operated a threshing-machine, which was in general demand throughout the community during the season. He owns ninety-two acres, comprising a portion of the old homestead, and as he is a man of push and energy, he has made a success of his work, being now recognized as one of the most prosperous and successful agriculturists of the township.

While not taking any very active part in public affairs, Mr. Parsons has strong convictions of his own and advocates with all the energy of his nature the platform of the Democratic party. For two years he served as Treasurer of the township, and in 1891 was elected to the position of Supervisor, representing Milton Township on the County Board. He has filled that position since his election continuously to the present time (1893), and his services have proved eminently satisfactory to the people of the township. He has occupied other positions of trust, including those of Assessor, Moderator and a number of school offices. Although he is now in life’s prime, he has never cared to exchange his happy bachelorhood for the uncertainties of matrimony, and is still unmarried. He is one of the foremost men of the township, and is highly esteemed by all the people within his circle of acquaintanceship.