Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1901-04-27

| tied there-backward in every essen
tial almost that goes to make modern
up -to-date community. Then, farms
dwellings,, churches and schools were
much neglected. Education and cul
ture as rule, was at 'low ebb'
indeed, and what then existed were
confined to few favored Individual
only. The blighting effects of sla-
very still rested over the land; the
energies OF the older men paralyze6
for the time by its abolition, and the
young men, graded amidst its sur
roundings and enervated by its in
fuence, had not yet arisen to that
degree Of independence and self-re-
lance that now characterizes them,
and which manifests itself In the
progress and thrift OF their country,
their we'll kept farms, their beautiful
homes, and the culture and refine
ment to be felt and seen on every
hand. We would not claim that this
great social and economic revolution
was due to Mr.. Parsons alone. nor do
we think we underrate the value OF
other forces, and the work OF other
men In that section, when we say
that 1t is to him, his work, his ex-
ample, and the spirit with which he
enthused others, more than to all
other causes combined, that Is due
the splendid condition of that coun.
try to day.
He was among the foremost OF his
time in all undertakings for the bet
terment Of his country and people.
The movement for reform In our road
system and which hes given us our
roads now splendid, compared to
their condition under the former
system had, no more earnest advo-
cate than he. And no one can fail
to remember how strongly he en-
dorsed in the press of our county the
movement for Constitutional revi-
sion, which has grown In force until
it has eliminated in a call for a con-
yention to meet In few months for
that purpose. Or his work for the
public schools Of his county and dis
trict, it seems hardly necessary to
speak, it is known by all men. For
twenty years he was school official,
and by his zeal and labor, with that
of mis- co-laborer, the lamented DR..
Brodwater, the schools Of Atlantic
district, now, and have for years
stood at the head of the schools in
the county. And the people of that
district can never repay the debt
they owe to the memory of these two
men on this account.
Mr.. Parsons, in recognition OF his
merits, and of the great interest
taken by him in public affairs, was
chosen by the people Of the county
in the year 1876 as one of their repre- :
sentatives In the State Legislature.
He filed this great trust with that
zeal and honesty OF purpose that has
ever characterized his services in any
public capacity. He was a man OF
for more than ordinary ability, which
fact soon became known to his neigh
bors. They sought his advice upon
most all difficult questions, and it
was given without money and with
out price. In his death they lost a
most valuable friend, and the county
and State one Of it's best citizens.
Yet though he be dead, and his body
be resolved into its original elements,
his works still survive. The infiu-
ences emanating from such a char
acter cannot die. They permeate
the lives of all classes, and will go
down through time, enthusing, in'
spring, and lifting up the people OF
all classes and in all avocations OF
life.
Mr.. Parsons was a member of the
Methodist Protestant church at At
lantic, Va, and was buried in the
church yard of that church.
He left surviving him a widow and
six children, among them John 8.
Parsons, Esq, promising young
lawyer at Accomack bar.
Waldo.