OLIVER CLINTON PARSONS, of Frankfort, Ind,, was born in Clinton county on the
twenty-fourth day of September, 1859, the son of Peter and Hannah (Douglass)
Parsons. Peter Parsons, the father, was born in Perry county, Pa., August 22,
1834, and is the son of George and Elizabeth (Fisher) Parsons, both natives of
Pennsylvania-the former of English and the latter of German descent. George
died March 7, 1848. His wife then sold the farm and came to Clinton county,
Ind., where she bought 138 acres of land. She was born in 1813, and her death
took place April 16, 1894. They were the parents of seven children: George,
Peter, Elizabeth, Anthony, Catherine, William and Aaron. Peter Parsons was
reared partially in Pennsylvania and partially in Clinton county, Ind. At his
majority he rented the home farm, and in 1879 bought his present place.
March 7, 1858, he married Miss Hannah Douglass, daughter of Uriah and Jane
(Murphy) Douglass, natives of Ohio and of Irish extraction. Mr. and Mrs.
Douglass were the parents of thirteen children, viz: Sina, Elizabeth, Jane,
Hannah, Margaret, John, Jerry, all still living; James, George, Samuel,
Maria, Sarah and Eurias, deceased. The children born to Peter and Hannah
Parsons were three in number, and are named Oliver C., William E. and Charles
M. Mr. and Mrs. Parsons are members of the Christian church, and Mr. Parsons
is a member of Owen grange, No. 555. Politically, he is a democrat.
Oliver C. Parsons was brought up on a farm and remained with his parents until
twenty-three years of age, in the meantime attending the district schools. At
the age of twenty-three he came to Frankfort, and for seven years thereafter
worked at any honest employment to which he could turn his hand, but during
that time he did not succeed in accumulating any capital. In the latter part
of 1888 Mr. Parsons purchased a small restaurant in Frankfort, the price being
$250, which was borrowed, with his father as surety. On taking charge of his
business he stepped into the next door and borrowed a dollar which he used in
making change with his customers, it being the only available money at that
time in the establishment. He continued the business, which from the
beginning was successful, until 1890, when he changed locations, establishing
his restaurant on the south side of the public square, calling it the "Model
Bakery, Oyster and Short Order House." Since open-ing his place of business,
he has added largely to his stock, and at this time it is one of the neatest
and best stocked and most systematic ally equipped establishments of the kind
in Frankfort. Another fact which redounds to Mr. Parsons reputation, is the
manner in which his business is conducted. His management has been
exceptionally praiseworthy, and it is a fact worthy of note, that nothing of a
boisterous nature is ever permitted at his place, and all going there are
assured of receiving most respectful attention. Mr. Parsons' business
consists principally in conducting a bakery, an oyster parlor, and a general
restaurant, and he deals extensively in confections, California and tropical
fruits, fancy canned goods, cigars and tobacco, etc., his entire stock being
of the highest standard of excellence.
Additional to the place above mentioned Mr. Parsons also conducts two other
well equipped and well arranged restaurants in Frankfort, one being on North
Main street, between Washington street and the railroad, and the other on West
Clinton street. In connection with his restaurants, he has a number of first-
class rooms and apartments furnished for the accommodation of the traveling
public. Mr. Parsons justly deserves the success which has attended his
business efforts. He is careful in his management, honorable and straight-
forward in every transaction, and can be depended upon to carry out faithfully
any agreement into which he may enter. Though still a young man, he has
displayed a remarkable aptitude for business, which places him with the
successful business men of Frankfort. On the nineteenth of November, 1884,
Mr. Parsons and Miss Ella Bambart of Frankfort entered into the marriage
relation, and they have two children-Orpha and Earl.
Transcribed by Chris Brown from pages 827-828 of "A Portrait And Biographical
Record of Boone and Clinton Counties, Ind.," published in 1895 by A.W. Bowen &
Co. Chicago.