The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-05-02
IN MEMORlAM.
Mrs. Marian Switzerland Parham.
(By Rev. J. D. Hufham, D. d.


all its vicissitudes illustrated the ideals
and methods of the best civilization that
the world has ever seen. To the people
of the town who. for thrty-seven years
had watched the unfolding of her beau
tiful character and the achievements of
her noble life her death came as a per-
| sonal bereavement. In many other parts
of the State, and in other States of her
beloved South there was sorrow for her
removal. In the church which she loved
so tenderly and for which she labored
so wisely and faithfully, they mourned
for her as a mother in Israel. She is
worthy of a foremost place among the
sanity women whose names adorn the
annals of North Carolina.
Through her father, Mrs. Parham came
of an old English family, the Souther-
lands who In colonial times settled in
Butte, now Warren and Franklin counties,
and in Duplin. They were a sturdy, fear
less, persistent people, having the char
acteristics of the race from which they
/ sprang. They were ardent patriots dur
ing the Revolution, and some of them
did honorable service as soldiers in that
struggle. Ransom Switzerland was the
! Representative of Warren County in the
Legislature of 1890.
The work of the Baptsts in Butte, now
Warren county, began about 1740 1t was
aggressive and successful from the first,
and the Southerlands, with other leading
/ families. were drawn into it.
| The year 1880 marks the end and the
| beginning of an era, for the Baptists of
North Carolina. In the State Convention
they found what they had been seeking
for thirty years; a channel through which
the churches could cooperate in the larg-
est possible work for missions education
and benevolence. Against this forward
movement Of the denomination a faction
had been gathering in opposition for ten
years or more. It's violence and streEg- h
eliminated in the Kehukee Association,
which then included the territory lying
between the Seaboard Air Line Railway
and the Albemarle Sound in one direction,
and the Roanoke and the Tar River in
the other. Nine churches OF this body,
unwilling to obey the behests of intoler-
ance and exclusiveness, withdrew and or
ganized the Tar River Association. which.
for seventy three years, has been NOV
ing forward with a swiftdr pace and a
widening sweep in every department of
Christian activity. James Switzerland,
grandfather OF Mrs. Parham. was chosen
moderator of the body. He was a mem
Der of the church at Aliens, now
Browns; and his home, which is still
owned and occupied by one Of his grand
sons, was eight miles east of Henderson.
He was the most influential layman in
the new movement. He was kin to the
MERGERS, of Halifax county, and of Geor-
gia, and was greatly beloved by Will
loughby Hudgins, who, besides being the
pastor and close friend of Nathaniel Ma
con, was accounted by his brethren the
ablest preacher among them.
OF the four sons OF James Switzerland
the eldest was an accomplished and sue
cessful physician, who settled in Mobile.
Ala. On his death his widow returned
to North Carolina and died a few years
ago at her home of her sister, Mrs. Susan
Smith in Scotland Neck. Samuel Mercer,
the youngest son. married Miss Lips
combe, of Brunswick county Virginia, and
in 1910, removed to Gainesville, Ala, re-
naming there until Maria, his oldest
child was two years old. Then he settled
in Mobile and engaged in business as
cotton factor. In that delightful city OF
the old South, delightful still, three 9th
er children, a son and two daughters,
were born. All the agencies which make
for the building up of lofty character
the home, the church, the school, the
social cirele-were there in a high de-
gree of perfection. But as the years
wore on the father, desiring a larger
field for his business plans, removed to
New York. intending that his family
should Join him a little later. They had
made their way to North Carolina ana
were tarrying among friends in Warren
ton when the storm of war burst on the
bp tot in
hoping against hope, but finally joined his
family 1t was only to die. The son who
had entered the Confederate service as z
lieutenant in the 46th Regiment N. C.
troops, came to be with his father in the
last illness, but died himself soon after
wards 1t was now the story of so many
Southern homes In those dreadful years
the oldest daughter taking the place of
bread winner and manager for the house
hold. In this case there was neither
Sinking nor repining OF those who at
tended the Baptist State Convention al
Warrenton in 1864 some are still living, /
and they retain pleasant memories of
Miss Switzerland; the charm of her beau
ty, the grace of her manner and the
springhtliness of her conversation. BY
her labor as a teacher, she was able to
make a home for those who looked to
her for guidance or support.
In 1865 she married Captain Samuel
Parham, a gallant officer during the war,
and at the time of his marriage, a sue
cessful man of business in Henderson.
There was a brief season Of prosperity
then financial embaTrassments followed
by disaster; then the brave soldier en-
tered into the rest which is prepared for
those who have fought good fight and
finished their course.
Once again Mrs Parham grded her
self for the burdens which she seemed
to leave behind her with her marriage;
heavier than ever, since it was to pro-
vide for the maintenance and education
Of six children, FIVE sons and daughter:
and this by her own labor.
Again her fine education, her splendid
| intellect and her lofty spirit bore her
through. Returning to her favorite oc-
equations he achieved a reputation as
teacher and what is far better, home
for her children and adequate training
for the business life. Though straitened
at first, there was no happier home in
all Henderson. because there was not one
that wac nreeided over by q Durer drawer