Biographical History of Pottawattmie Co., IA

. PARISH, a prominent citizen of Hanzel Dell Township, was born in Canada West, October 9, 1841, the sixth child of nine in the family of Hiram and Anna (Bullard) Parish, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of Canada. He was eight years of age when his parents came with him to Lee County, Iowa, where they passed the remainder of their lives. Brought up to the arts of agriculture, he was at the early age of thirteen years compelled in a great measure to look out for himself. He was in Knox County, Illinois, from the age of fifteen to twenty, when, during the war, he enlisted, in October, 1861, in Company L, Eighth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, but was soon transferred to Company I. After faithful service for three years, participating in the noted battles of Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Holly Springs, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, Kenesaw Mountain, Russell House, Atlanta, Jonesboro, and a number of skirmishes, he was honorably discharged, at East Point, Georgia. He was married October 30, 1866, to Miss Jane, daughter of Josiah and Margaret Nelson, who was born in Knox County, Illinois, in November, 1848. After a three years residence in Illinois he came to Pottawattamie County and purchased a tract of "raw" prairie on section 3, Hazel Dell Township, of forty acres. Here he erected a small frame residence, 14 x 16, in which he made his home for five or six years, while he was subduing his land to cultivation. He now possesses 159 acres, all of which has been improved. He has now a neat frame residence, 26 x 24 and 16 x 20, and barns, etc., in good style. He is particularly interested in improved breeds of stock, making a specialty of Durham cattle. He is a self-made man, having risen by his own efforts to his present high standing, and he has also done much for the public welfare. He is a Republican in his political sympathies; he has served his township as Constable and member of the School Board, Road Supervisor, and is now Township Clerk.

He has had twelve children, viz.: John N., at home; Dora B., wife of George Smith, and residing, in Boomer Township; Peter, Minnie, Mary and George, at home; Cyrus, deceased; Etta, Bertha, Elmer, Cora and Ella Myrtle.

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