Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-05-30
Deacon Stephen R. Parsons.

| Deacon Stephen Robinson Parsons d1ed
at his residence at South Paris on the
morning of May 18th, after q severe ILL
ness of several weeks. Mr.. Parsons was
born in Norway, Maine, August Is, 1880,
the only child of John and Apphia (Rob-
inson) Parsons. The history of the
Parsons family in England can be traced
to the fourteenth century, its first known
ancestor being the Earl of Rose. Its first
American ancestor was Jeffrey Parsons,
a native of Ashprington County, of
Devon, England, who emigrated first to
the Island Of Barbados, and from there
to Gloucester, Mass, where he settled
permanently. He married Sarah Vim
son. The line of descent continues
through their son, John, ST., and Isa-
bella (Haines) Parsons; John, Jr., and
Elizabeth (HaskelD Parsons; William
and Sarah (Rust) Parsons; to John,
third, and Dorothy (Stevens) Parsons
who were Stephen Robinson Parsons
grandparents.
From Gloucester, Mass, some OF the
family removed to New Gloucester, Cum
berland County, Maine, where they were
among the early settlers. Horse Hill,
near Norway, derives its name from an
incident which occurred during the
pioneer days of John Parsons in Oxford
County. With companion, he had
come one spring day on horseback from
New Gloucester to what was then known
as Rustfield (now Norway to push the
work of clearing his land. The horses
were secured to trees, but at night,
when sought, it was found that they had
broken their halters and fled, probably
from having been frightened by bears.
No trace of them was found until the
next fall; then a narrow pathway lead
ing up the hillside led to their discovery
on the summit, where they went at night
to rid themselves of mosquitoes, coming
down in the daytime to feed.
On the maternal side, Mr.. Parsons Is
descended from Stephen Robinson, who
married Jemima, daughter of Nathaniel
Haskell of New Gloucester, April 4,
1892, and settled on the lots now includ-
ed in the Parsons farm. His first dwell
ing was log cabin, but in 1902 he began
erecting the large house, now over one
hundred and two years old, still occu-
pied by the Parsons family. The house
is one of the oldest in South Paris, and
contains nine fireplaces and large hall.
Mr.. Parsons was educated at Norway
Liberal Institute, and also attended
school in Portland. At the age of four
teen QS44) his parents moved from Nor
way to the Robinson farm in South Paris,
the property of his mothers father. This
farm Mr.. Parsons inherited on the death
of his father in April, 1868, and has since
cultivated it successfully. 1t contains
two hundred and fifty acres and is de-
sirably located.
Though often urged to accept public
office he steadily refused, believing that
only the best results could be obtained
by devoting his entire energies to the
cultivation of his large farm. He was
and always one of the first
to try any new invention that would
facilitate farm labor. 1t was through
his efforts that last year the rural mail
delivery was secured for the Parsons
neighborhood. In politics he was Re-
publican. In religious belief he was
Congregationalist, having been deacon
of the First Congregationalist church,
South Paris, since July, 1867, and officiat-
ing at the last communion service on
MARCH MT. dEoOuo wac iudu Va
sterling character and absolutely un-
selfish aims, deeply religious and sincere
in every word and act.
On January Sd, 1865, he married Mary
c., daughter of George w. and Margaret
Ann (Blankenburg) Thomas, who sur
wives him together with six children:
Apphia Jane (now Mrs. W. K. Clifford),
John Thomas, Annie Isabel, Dora Alice,
Mary Francis (now Mrs. F. A. Shurtleff)
and Oscar Wallace.
At the funeral were many beautiful
floral tributes, among them bouquet of
white roses from President and Mrs.
Chase of Bates College; a magnificent
bouquet of pink roses from the teachers
and students of Hebron Academy, where
Mr.. John T. Parsons is attending school;
a large bunch of callas from the First
Congregationalist church, South Paris,
and a bouquet Of carnations from the
Christian Endeavor Society.
The funeral services were conducted
by Rev. Howard A. Clifford, who paid a
hearty tribute to the solid Christian
character of Deacon Parsons. Music
was furnished by Mr.. George Briggs,
Miss Sue Wheeler, and Mrs. Herman
Wilson. The interment was in Fairview
Cemetery. Psalm 81, 81: "Mark the
perfect man, and behold the upright; for
the end of that man is peace"