Parsons, Phoebe Casto

Passed: 1919-02-06

Age: 88

Source: Jackson County Newspapers

Death Notice: 1919-02-06

Obituary Date:

Information: After several weeks illness due to infirmities that accompany old age, Mrs. Alexius F. Parsons, wife of A. F. Parsons, Sr., deceased, passed from among the living at the home of her son, Lovell M. Parsons, on Parchment, Thursday, February 6th, 1919.  Alexius Fink Parsons, her husband, was one of the most widely known and prominent farmers of this county in his day and died March 17th, 1895.  Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Parsons had made her home with her son, Lovell M. Parsons.  Phoebe Casto Parsons, daughter of Benjamin and Sarah Casto, was born on Parchment, near the site of her demise. on August 10th, 1830, her father being one of the first settlers in what was then known as Mason county, Virginia.  Her education, like most persons of her time, was limited.  She attended the community's ""Old Field's School"", provided by the State of Virginia, which offered each child four months school for three successive years free gratis.  The rest of her time was employed using the spinning wheel or loom and in knitting, or the manufacture of clothes for the family and market.  She learned the art of cookery early in life before an open fireplace which occupied one entire end of the cabin.  She was a great reader, always taking an interest in current events until the last few years, and her evening chats concerning incidents happening during the administrations of twenty or more of our presidents was a source of pleasure to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, to whom she delighted to tell them.  Hon. Virgil A. Lewis, one time State Historian, was a visitor at her home on several occasions during his tenure of office to obtain data on lost history which he chould not get in any other way, ans heard to make complimentary remarks about her clear memory concerning events of our pioneer history.  She was united in marriage with Alexius Fink Parsons on March 30th, 1848, by Rev. Andrew Warner of the United Brethren church.  To tis union were born fourteen children, ten sons and four daughters, one son and one daughter dying in infancy.  Twelve children were reared to manhood and womanhood, were married, raised families and three of them preceded her to the great beyond--William Q. Parsons, Mrs. Ellen Shatto and Alexius Chapman Parsons, all of whom resided in this county at the time of their deaths.  The children now living are: Mrs. Flora Jane Kessel, Given, Lewis F. Parsons, Ripley, Route 2, Mrs. Susan Ellison, Ripley, Richard O. Parsons, Rockcastle, John B. Parsons, Rockcastle, Austin L. Parsons, Parkersburg, Lovell M. Parsons, Ripley, Okey J. Parsons, Ripley, O. D. Parsons, Akron, Ohio.  To her twelve children were born seventy-seven children; to these grandchildren were born one hundred thirty-eight children; to these great-grandchildren were born two children, which are Mrs. Parsons' great-great-grandchildren.  Besides the above relatives she is survived by the following brothers and sisters:  Solomon Casto, Pomeroy, O., Enoch Casto, Elmwood, Mrs. Lucretia Barnett Oldham, Rockcastle, Alexander Casto, Evans. She had several relatives who served as soldiers in all the wars in which our country has participated. The following grand-sons and great-grand-sons are now in France:  Grand-sons-Sergeant Howard Parsons, 314th Field Artillery; Lieutenant Normal Parsons, Marines; Corporal D. M. Dorsey, 314th Field Artillery.  Great-grand-sons, Lieutenant Ray Kessel, 153rd Pioneer Infantry; Lieutenant Floyd M. Sayre, 314th Field Artillery; Sergeant Otho Harrison, Field Artillery; Corporal Boyd Parsons, U. S. Engineers; Corporal Harry Kessel, Field Artillery.  She was converted to christianity in early life and joined the United Brethren church, of which her and her husband were faithful and substantial members for more than half a century. Mr. and Mrs.Parsons, with such people as the late Mr. and Mrs. George Shinn, and others we might mention, were the pillars for the foundations ****some has been omitted**** Her funeral was conducted at Mount Moriah U. B. Church by Rev. T. H. Rymer and Rev. H. K. Riffe and her body laid to rest beside that of her devoted husband in the cemetary nearby to await the resurrection.  The floral tributes were very beautiful, among them being a large bouquet of white carnations bestowed by the Bank of Ripley, of which her husband was a charter director and her son is now vice president.