BIO: Joseph R. PARSONS, Huntingdon County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: 
Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, 
Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative 
Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. 
Runk & Co., 1897, pages 391-392.
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  JOSEPH R. PARSONS, Oppelsville, Pa., was born in Huntingdon county, 
Pa., April 4, 1826. He is a son of Samuel and Mary (Richardson) 
Parsons. His grandparents on his father's side were both born in 
Chester county, Pa. The grandfather was engaged in farming all his 
life. He married Miss Hannah Brown; their children were six in number: 
Eliza; Samuel; Joseph; James; David; and Nancy, wife of George Frantz; 
all are deceased. William Richardson, maternal grandfather of Mr. 
Parsons, came from his native country, England, to America in youth. He 
married, October 13, 1768, Miss Elizabeth Brock. Their family consisted 
of ten children: William; Joseph; Ann; Jennie; Elizabeth; Margaretta; 
George; Mary; Benjamin; and Elias; all deceased. Mr. and Mrs. 
Richardson were members of the Catholic church; both died in 1813, and 
are buried in one grave. 
  Samuel Parsons and Mary his wife, the parents of Joseph R., were born 
in 1785, the former in Chester county, the latter in Franklin county, 
Pa. Samuel Parsons was a farmer, and pursued that vocation until the 
time of his death. Their marriage took place in 1822. Mrs. Parsons was 
the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Brock) Richardson. The children 
of Mr. and Mrs. Parsons were: Joseph R.; Emmeline; William, died in 
1840, at the age of sixteen. The father died February 8, 1871, aged 
eighty-five, and the mother February 19, 1880, at the age of ninety-
five. Mr. Parsons was a member of the Methodist, Mrs. Parsons of the 
Catholic church.
  In an old log-house in Cromwell township, Huntingdon county, where a 
"subscription school" was kept, Joseph R. Parsons acquired the 
education necessary to fit him for active life; often most effectually 
imparted in such unpretending places. From the age of twenty-one, when 
his education was finished, for about five years, he was his father's 
assistant in farm work. In 1853, he bought the farm lately owned by 
Peter Crownover, where he began farming for himself, and which has been 
his homestead to the present time. Mr. Parsons has been serviceable as 
a township officer; he was elected supervisor in 1875, and again a few 
years later, and served both times for one year. He was also chosen as 
school director in 1875, and served for nine consecutive years. He is a 
Republican.
  Joseph R. Parsons has been twice married. The first time was on March 
23, 1854, to Ellen, daughter of Thomas and Jane (Gifford) Crownover. Of 
this marriage there were three children: Thomas; Williamson; and 
Esther, died in 1859, when six months old. The first Mrs. Parsons died 
July 3, 1862, at the age of twenty-seven. Mr. Parsons was married the 
second time, February 23, 1864, to Catherine, daughter of John and Mary 
Everts. They have ten children: Amanda, widow of Jacob Barkley; Lewis; 
Mary, wife of David Kirk; Hayes; Kittie; Minnie; and Sadie; Howard died 
October 13, 1889, aged twenty-one years and one month; and two died in 
infancy. Mr. Parsons is a member of the United Brethren church, and has 
been secretary of the union Sunday-school for about forty years.
  Thomas and Jane (Gifford) Crownover were both born in Huntingdon 
county, in early settlers' families. Mr. Crownover was a farmer and 
miller. His wife was the daughter of John Gifford. Of their children, 
Robert is the only one now living; those deceased are: Joseph; Jane; 
and Ellen (Mrs. Parsons). After the death of his first wife, Mr. 
Crownover married Miss Esther McWilliams. He died in 1853. Mr. and Mrs. 
John Everts, the parents of the second Mrs. J. R. Parsons, were natives 
of Pennsylvania; her father was married. His first wife was Miss Mary 
Myers. They had three children: Catherine (Mrs. Parsons); Rebecca, wife 
of Frederick Andrews, died in 1892, aged fifty-eight; and Isabella. The 
second marriage of Mr. Everts was with Miss Martha Rager; his third, 
with Miss Catherine Ferringer. Mr. Everts died at about seventy years 
of age; his wife is still living.