My Genealogy Hound

AMOS PARSONS, one of the best-known citizens of Lower Merion township, was born in Marple township, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, December 22, 1828. He married Miss Mary Ann Sibley, March 2, 1854. She is a daughter of Jacob and Catharine Sibley, of Athensville, in Lower Merion township, now Ardmore. Mr. and Mrs. Parsons have had the following children: Jacob Sibley, Luther C., who married Kate Note, daughter of William Note, they having no children; Mahlon, who married Maggie McElhenny, they having eight children, as follows: Edgar, Helen, Elvira C., Hester, Mary P., George D., Katie P., Harriet U.

Mr. Parsons received his early education in the common schools of Marple township. At the early age of ten years he was placed in the tan- nery of George and Joseph Rhoades, at Marple, and set to work to earn his living. At the age of sixteen years he was apprenticed to John S. Moore, also of Marple township, to learn the blacksmith trade, refnaining in this position for three years, and acquiring a good knowledge of the trade. He then removed to Merionville, now Merion, in Montgomery county. He began life for himself by establishing a blacksmith shop and wheelwright shop, in which business he has been eminently successful. After making a competence at his blacksmith and wheelwright shops, he retired from his occupation in 1885, relinquishing the business to his two sons, Jacob S. and Luther C., who are now successfully engaged therein.

Mahlon Parsons, father of Amos Parsons, was a native of Delaware county, Pennsylvania, where he was born April 17, 1792. He married Rebecca Ford, of Easttown township, Chester county. She was the daughter of William Ford, also of Chester county. Mahlon Parsons was a manufacturer of whetstones. He died January 13, 1856, and his wife died on September 7 of the same year. Joshua Parsons, grandfather of Amos Parsons, was born in 1762, and was a farmer by occupation. He died May 12, 1849. Richard Parsons, great-grandfather, was the immigrant. He came from England in 1745, and settled in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, where the family are still numerous and greatly respected.