George W. Parmelee Biography, Genesee County, Michigan

This Biography extracted from “Portrait and Biographical Record of 
Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties, Michigan…”, published be Chapman 
Bros., Chicago (1892), p. 981


This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives.




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GEORGE W. PARMELEE is the proprietor and owner of the Star Custom Mill 
at Flushing, Genesee County. He came to this town in 1858 and has since 
been closely identified with its progress and business life. Mr. 
Parmelee was born May 30, 1839, at Sylvania, Ohio, and is a son of 
Thomas J. and Chloe (Atwell) Parmelee, natives of New York. The former 
was a farmer and came to Ohio at an early day. There he followed his 
calling until he came to Michigan and purchased a farm in Maple Grove 
Township, Saginaw County. He there remained until coming to Flushing, 
where he resided until his death, which occurred April 25, 1884, being 
at the time eighty-three years of age. Our subject's mother died in 
Maple Grove Township in 1879.

   Thomas Parmelee was a Republican in politics and held several 
township offices. He was Justice of the Peace, Township Treasurer and 
Commissioner of Highways besides holding various minor offices. He was 
the father of ten children, of whom three now live. They are Mrs. Phena 
James, Oliver and our subject. The last named was educated at Palmyra, 
Lenawee County, this State. He was reared a farmer, but learned the 
baker's trade in Flushing and was employed in that way for twelve 
years. He built a brick store on Main Street of this town, the first 
door east of the First National Bank.

   Mr. Parmelee enlisted in Company C, Seventh Michigan Cavalry and was 
in Custer's Brigade. He served for four years and was captured October 
7, 1863 at Robinson River and was held a prisoner for fourteen months, 
being incarcerated in Libby Prison at Belle Isle, Pemberton No. 2, and 
Andersonville. He was also at Savannah and Camp Loton. At the time of 
entering the prison he was a man who weighed one hundred eighty pounds 
and when he was exchanged he weighed only ninety pounds. On the 23rd of 
November, 1864, he was granted a furlough of sixty days during which 
time he came home. He returned to the army and then was sent across the 
plains to Salt Lake City to fight the Indians. He there received his 
discharge.

   On returning to Flushing our subject purchased a farm in 1865. It 
was four miles west of the town and comprised seventy-two acres. He 
remained on this for five years. He purchased his mill in 1888 and has 
run the same ever since. Mr. Parmelee held the office of Commissioner 
of Highways while stationed at Montrose and has been Marshal for two 
years at Flushing. He has a fine home located on Cherry street.

   Mr. Parmelee married Miss Elinor Smith, a daughter of Simeon Smith, 
one of the early settlers of Genesee County. They have had a family of 
five children, whose names are as follows: Sarah who is Mrs. Perry; 
Ever G., Daisy, Harry and Clara. The 15th of November, 1888, Mr. 
Parmelee went out hunting with a friend and was accidentally shot in 
his left arm, head and face, losing his left eye by the accident. He 
has always been a great lover of hunting and fishing. He is a 
Republican in his political sentiments and belongs to the Grand Army of 
the Republic. He is one of the prominent business men of this village.





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