History Of Rush County Indiana 1888 Brant & Fuller Surnames In This Biography are: PARSONS, Dill, Barnes, Mauzy, REV. JAMES L. PARSONS was born in Des Moines County, Iowa, October 11, 1841. His parents were Matthias and Mary A. (Dill) Parsons, who had moved to that State from Rush County, but when he was two years of age, they returned to this county, where they have since resided. James L. remained with his parents until reaching the age of twenty-one, having in the meantime taught two terms of school. In September, 1860, he entered what is now Butler University, at Indianapolis, and in that institution obtained a liberal education. August 12, 1862, Caroline M., daughter of Silas and Rebecca (Barnes) Mauzy, became his wife. Her parents were among the leading early settlers of the county, the father having died September 10, 1876, and the mother now lives in Union Township in her seventy-eighth year. For a short time after his marriage, Mr. Parsons was engaged in teaching school and farming, but the following year resumed his studies in the University. Beginning in the fall of 1864, he pursued his studies in the University of Kentucky, at Lexington, for one year. After that he entered regularly upon his ministerial duties, for which he had specially prepared himself. His first charge was at Ashland, Ohio, and since April, 1866, has been almost constantly engaged in the ministry of the Christian Church. During this time he has been stationed at Noblesville, Anderson, Logansport, New Albany, Indianapolis, Kokomo, and Richmond, in this State, at Chicago, Ill., and New Orleans, La. At Logansport and New Albany, his success was marked, and at all those places in which he has been, he has left a name of which he may feel justly proud. In 1884, he returned to Rush County, and has since then been a resident of Rushville. The Christian congregations at Cambridge City, Dublin and Greensburg, have for some time been under his charge. Rev. Parsons is rapidly gaining an enviable fame as a lecturer, and is also recognized as an eloquent, advocate of the Master’s cause. Mr. and Mrs. Parsons are the parents of two children, named: Lola Pearl and Mary R.