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Frederick Parrott |
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Frederick Parrott, one of the wealth land-owners of Monroe County, now living on section 1, township 4, range 9 west, claims France as the land of his birth, which occurred on the 7th of November, 1816. He is a son of George and Ann (Eagle) Parrott, both of whom were born and reared in France. The father worked in a cotton factory in that country for some time. In 1828, he determined to seek a home and fortune in the United States, and with his family came to this country. He first settled in Stark County, Ohio, where he worked on a canal and made his home until 1840. From that time until his death he resided upon the farm which is now the home of our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Parrott had a family of nine children, of whom four are still living, namely: Frederick, George, Peter, and Louis, a resident of St. Louis. Our subject was only twelve years of age when he accompanied his father on the emigration to America. During his boyhood he lived in Stark County and worked on a canal. When about seventeen years of age he left home and began working on steam boats on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. In that way the five succeeding years of his life were passed, and when that period had expired he came to Illinois with the determination of making his home in the west. About 1833 he entered a tract of eighty-nine acres in Randolph County, upon which he settled. It was still in its primitive condition, not a furrow having been turned or an improvement made thereon. He devoted some time to its cultivation, but afterward returned to steam boating, and the property was not further developed until his father settled thereon in 1840. In Canton, Ohio on the 23d of September 1847, Mrs. Parrott married Maria Vallat, daughter of Francis Vallat, a native of France. The lady was born in that country November 3, 1822, and came to the United States three years before her marriage. The young couple began their domestic life in Randolph County, but after a short time Mr. Parrott sold his property there and came to Monroe County, locating upon the farm which is still his home. He has now resided in this community longer than any other of its citizens, and is very familiar with the history of the county's development and upbuilding. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Parrott were born nine children, of whom two sons and three daughters are yet living: Virginia, who entered St. Joseph's Convent in St. Louis, Mo., and is now known as Sister M.; Elizabeth, who is Sister Superior in St. Joseph's Convent in Tucson, Ariz.; J. H., who is engaged in the real-estate business in Kansas City, Kan.; Frank, who aids in the operation of the home farm, Mary C., wife of Ziebold, who is engaged in the milling business in Red Bud; and Emma Louisa, at home. Mr. Parrott owns about fifteen hundred acres of land and is one of the largest tax payers in the county. His success in life has all been achieved through his own efforts, and is therefore well merited. From a humble position in life he has worked his way upward to one of affluence. In politics he is a stalward Republican. His first Presidential vote was cast for William Henry Harrison, and his last for Benjamin Harrison, the illustrious grandson of the Tippecanoe hero. He and his family are all members of the Catholic Church. Their home is one of the finest country residences in Monroe County, and is the abode of hospitality and good cheer. The members of the household are prominent people and rank high in social circles.
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