Lawyers and Lawmakers of Kentucky, by H. Levin, editor, 1897. Published
by Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago.  Reprinted by Southern Historical
Press.  p. 254.  Jefferson County.

EDWARD YOUNG PARSONS, a lawyer, was born December 12, 1842, in Middletown,
Jefferson county, Kentucky, and was the son of Rev. C. B. Parsons, who
left the stage while he was one of the foremost tragedians of his day and
became one of the most eloquent ministers of the Methodist church.  He
received a fine education in the public schools of Louisville and St.
Louis, and graduated, at the head of his class, in 1861, in the
Louisville Male High School.  For a few months he acted as principal of
the Fifth and York street ward school, and after serving three years as
teacher in the  Male High School was appointed professor of elocution in
the same institution.
     While engaged in teaching he devoted his leisure to the study of law
and in 1864 entered the Louisville Law School, then under Judges Pirtle,
Muir and Bullock, finished the legal course in one year and graduated as
the valedictorian of his class.  He located for the practice of his
profession at Henderson, Kentucky, but soon afterward returned to
Louisville.  In 1868 he formed a partnership with Judge W. L. Jackson,
Sr., and continued in that connection until 1872, when Mr. Jackson was
elevated to the circuit bench.  Soon afterward he was connected in
business with Colonel M. Munday, figured prominently in some noted legal
cases, and was distinguished as one of the most eloquent and able young
lawyers of the Louisville bar.  He possessed a great degree the dramatic
powers of his father, was exceedingly warm and impassioned in his methods
of speech, and displayed himself at all times to great advantage in the
courts.  In 1874 he was nominated for congress by the Democratic convention
of his district, and at the ensuing election defeated his opponent by a
large majority and made a fine record for himself as one of the most
brilliant and active members of the body.
     He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, south, and was
prominently identified with several social organization.  He was
agreeable in manners, and, by his many bright qualities, gathered around
him a large circle of admiring friends.  He died of congestion of the brain
at his hotel in Washington city, July 8, 1876, and his remains were
interred with every demonstration of respect at Louisville.
     Mr. Parsons was married July 27, 1871, to Miss Mary S. Belknap,
daughter of Dr. Belknap, of Little Falls, Herkimer county, New York. His
widow and two children survive him.

Parsons Jackson Munday Belknap
=
Henderson-KY Herkimer-NY

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/jefferson/parsons.ey.txt