Illinois:  History of Cass County, Illinois, ed. William 
Henry Perrin. O. L. Baskin & Co. Historical Publishers, 
Chicago, 1882.  Cass County.

NORMAN PARSONS, postmaster, Beardstown; was born in 
Enfield, Hartford County, Ct., November 6, 1811, and went 
to Ohio with his father in 1815. At the age of sixteen he 
was apprenticed to the tannery trade, and followed that 
occupation for many years, at Chardon, O., running a 
tannery of his own until 1854; also conducting a store, a 
farm, and operating in the real estate business. He was a 
Colonel of Militia, and a Justice of the Peace, and was 
Vice-President of the first Anti-Slavery Society of Geauga 
County, and which was organized by Joshua Giddings and 
Theodore W. Wells, in 1848. In 1854, Mr. Parsons came to 
Beardstown, where he was engaged in the wagon-making and 
blacksmithing business for several years; he also opened a 
farm and improved it. In 1861 he enlisted in the Third 
Illinois cavalry, and served until the close of the war; 
was with Fremont and Curtis until after the fall of 
Vicksburg; was mustered out as Orderly, having been 
Sergeant, Commissary Sergeant, etc.; was in the campaign in 
front of Richmond; was in the battles of Pea Ridge, First 
Vicksburg, Walnut Hill, Arkansas Post, Nashville, and many 
minor engagements; also, on recruiting service. Exposure 
incidental to life in the army injured Mr. Parsons to such 
extent as to disable him from active labor since. In 1869, 
he was appointed Postmaster at Beardstown, which position 
he yet ably and acceptably fills. In 1836 he married Miss 
Fannie A. King, of Ohio, and two sons were born to them: 
Melbourne N. and William E. Mrs. Parsons died in 1850; and 
in 1856 Mr. Parsons married Mrs. Sarah C. Saunders, of 
Beardstown. Both his sons, and a step-son served in the 
late war. Has been a Congregational and Methodist for over 
fifty years.

Parsons Wells Giddings King Saunders
=
Hartford-CT Geauga-OH TN