Representative Thomas Parsons View All Years

HON. THOMAS PARSONS

MR. SPEAKER: We, your committee, appointed to draft suitable resolutions concerning the life and public services of Honorable Thomas Parsons, member of the Thirty-eighth, Thirty-ninth, Fortieth and Fortieth extra General Assemblies, beg leave to submit the following:

On Sunday, April 1, 1928, occurred the death of Thomas Parsons, pioneer resident of Calhoun county Iowa, at Saint Joseph’s Mercy Hospital, Fort Dodge, after an illness of about seven months.

He was born February 12, 1855, at Rigate, Surrey, England, a son of Henry and Hanna Parsons, and was the second child in a family of ten children. In the year 1867 the family came to the United States, making their home in Chicago, Illinois. In 1868 they removed to Lee county, Illinois, where this pioneer family laid out their home on a tract of uncultivated land. Thomas Parsons attended the district schools in Lee county and further continued his education in Dixon.

Mr. Parsons came to Iowa in 1878 with a brother, Henry Parsons, now a member of the board of supervisors of Calhoun county, Iowa. These brothers purchased adjoining farms in Calhoun county. After he had established his home in that county, he engaged himself in teaching school. Later he purchased an eighty-acre tract of land to which he added from time to time until he became an extensive, prosperous and wealthy land owner. He was interested in bringing his estate to a high plane of cultivation and was both a grain and stock raiser. He was truly one of the successful pioneer farmers of this state.

In 1899 he retired from his farm and took up his place of residence in Farnhamville, Iowa. This place was his residence until his death.

In 1879 he was married to Miss Mary Clutter, who predeceased him in 1900. To this union were born four children, namely: Alfred H., John L., Flora E., and a deceased daughter, Bertha M. He was a member of the Congregational church, and the Knights of Pythias lodge.

During his lifetime he served this state as a member of the board of supervisors of Calhoun county, mayor of the town of Farnhamville, and a member of the General Assembly.

Linked with the progress of this state is indelibly inscribed the name of Thomas Parsons, who was a true builder in every sense of the word. He was an able exponent of the thought of our state which gave to us the establishment of the secondary road system of Iowa, and no one had a better understanding of our drainage laws than he.

There are few men in Iowa who served in the legislature who were more useful to their constituency, and particularly to the agricultural interests of the state as a whole. While a member of the Iowa legislature he was a hard and conscientious worker. His earnest desire was to be of real service to the people of his county and state, and his highest ambition was to justify the trust and confidence the people had placed in him by giving to his duties the most exacting and painstaking attention possible.

He took more than ordinary interest in everything that concerned the welfare of the state at large, and his business activities were second to none whether it involved his personal interests or the interests of others. Always exceedingly fair, honest, and generous, yet at all times practicing economy which exemplified his success as a business man. The state has lost one of its best and leading citizens.

Therefore, Be It Resolved, That in the death of Thomas Parsons the state has lost a valuable and honored citizen whose faithful and unselfish duty in business and private life is worthy of commendation and recognition. And the House of Representatives takes this opportunity to express its appreciation of his high character and public services to the state of Iowa, and to extend to his family sincere sympathy in their sorrow and bereavement.

Be It Further Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be spread upon the Journal of this House, and that enrolled copies thereof be transmitted to the members of his family.

MARION R. MCCAULLEY,

REYBURN L. RUTLEDGE,

J. A. KING,

Committee.

Unanimously adopted April 8, 1929.