Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Parsons, John F ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000719 February 28, 2008, 10:58 pm Author: Past and Present of Will County, IL; 1907 John F. Parsons, manager of the Interstate Telephone and Telegraph Company at Joliet, was born April 19, 1865, in Staffordshire, England, his parents being Henry and Elizabeth (English) Parsons. His father is deceased and was buried in Braidwood but the mother is still a resident of Joliet. John F. Parsons was brought to the United States in 1872 by his parents, who settled at Braidwood, Illinois. He began working in the mines there when only ten years of age and was thus employed for eleven years, during which time he managed to save from his earnings enough money to pay his tuition in college. He then abandoned mining and became a student in the Northern Indiana Normal School, where he remained for four years. On the expiration of that period, he accepted a position as bookkeeper with the Press Steel Car Company of Joliet. He acted in that capacity for four years. He afterward entered the employ of the Illinois Steel Company, with which he continued for one year. He was appointed deputy city clerk in 1895 and filled that office in an acceptable manner until 1899, when he became connected with the telephone company. He was solicitor for a short time, after which he was cashier, while subsequently he became local manager and still later county manager. In this connection he has now rendered excellent service to the Interstate Telephone & Telegraph Company. He has gradually worked his way upward, becoming thoroughly familiar with the business in principle and detail. Mr. Parsons was married October 25, 1899, to Miss Cora B. Lingle, of Cobden, Illinois. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Mount Joliet lodge, No. 42, A. F. & A. M. He is also connected with Joliet lodge, No. 532, K. P. He has filled all of the important offices in the lodge and at present is a member of the grand lodge of the state, having been so connected for six years. He is likewise a member of Joliet council, No. 59, of the North American Union. At the time he was serving as deputy city clerk, he attended the Chicago Law School and was graduated therefrom in 1898. Although he has never practiced law, his knowledge thereof has proven of value to him in the management of the business interests which have been entrusted to his care, and in his labors he has displayed good executive ability and keen foresight. Additional Comments: PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS By W. W. Stevens President of the Will County Pioneers Association; Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/parsons2668nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 3.2 Kb