Page:History of Southeast Missouri 1912 Volume 1.djvu/668

 594 HISTORY OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI of herculean order in this connection. In these early days adverse conditions, circum- stances and influences compassed him in his endeavors, but with characteristic courage, tenacity of purpose and fertility of expedi- ent he pressed forward along the course he had defined, with the result that the 3'ears gave liim tribute and splendid reward. He was the dominating power in the upbuilding of one of the greatest industries of the kind in the world, and it is due to him largely that the St. Joseph Lead Company gained precedence as the largest lead-mining con- cern of all in existence. Such accomplish- ment denotes the great executive and con- structive ability of the man and through his labors in this connection he did much for mankind, the while gaining for him- self and family a comfortable fortune of nearly two million dollars, — representing the just reward of long years of earnest and in- defatigable toil and endeavor. Further ref- erence to the mining industry is not de- manded in this connection, as the sub.ject is amply considered in the generic history on other pages. None but a strong man could show such results in the mastering of cir- cumstances, and these results tell their own story. However, there is consistency in mak- ing the following brief extract from the pub- lished memorial to which reference has been made in a preceding paragraph: "To the task of making available the immense lead deposits Mr. Parsons devoted himself and his eveiy energ.y. The first shaft to the lower deposits was started the latter part of March, 1870, and with the first load of rock hoisted from its underground bed there arose the stupendous problem of crushing, separating and smelting. No blazed trails were there to follow, and in the still watches of the long nights Mr. Parsons wrestled with tlie prolv lems, sometimes discouraged and disheart- ened but ever persistent and ever exhibiting to the world a smiling face, so that only his loved ones knew of his trials and discour- agements, and no one knew that the helpful, courteous superintendent, who was always ready with a kind word, a helpful suggestion, a hearty hanrlshake. or an order on the store to supply some poor fellow with a pair of shoes, was for months unable to look into the future for a single day with hope of reward, and was only kept to his hard task, was only enabled to face each new day with confi- dence, by the cheerful counsel and support of that splendidly equipped wife and mother who had been more than willing to leave home, friends and social enjoyments to come with him into the wilderness of the west. These years, and the mauy years which fol- lowed them, were years filled with ceaseless vigil, burning life's caudle at both ends; al- ways planning, always looking forward, and, withal, always willing to lend a helping hand to the weak or to give from his store to those in need." This indeed represents a tri- umphant life, and all who knew Mr. Parsons not only revere his memory but also realize that none ever was more worthy of success. The very nature of Mr. Parsons was one of l)readth and liberality, and he gave of himself to the furthering of every measure and enterprise tending to advance the mate- rial and social welfare of his home comnum- ity, and also the entire district in which his interests centered. Thus he was concerned with railroad development, with the exploita- tion of all public utilities and with the up- building of various industrial and commer- cial enterprises of magnitude and importance. He was one of the large stockholders and active executives not only in the St. Joseph Lead Company but also in the Mississippi River & Bonne Terre Railroad Company, the Doe Run Lead Company, the Bonne Terre Farming & Title Company, and the Farm- ers' & ^Miners' Tru.st Company, of Bonne Terre. In politics jMr. Parsoms gave a staunch al- legiance to the Republican party, and he was zealous in the furtherance of its cause, the while it was a distinct pleasure to him that he lived to see St. Francois county cast a majority of Repiiblican votes. He was a delegate to the national convention that first nominated William McKinley for the presi- dency and was active in the local councils of his party. In the advancement of educational facil- ities he took an abiding interest and he served for many years as a valued member of the Bonne Terre school Tioard. He never sought political preferment and it was largely a matter of extraneous expediency that caused him to hold the office of postmas- ter of Bonne Terre from April. 1876. to Oc- tober. 1885. He had deep reverence for the spiritual verities and was instant and liberal in tlip su]>iiort of all religious activities in which, tliougli himself a member of the Con- gregational church, he recognized neither sect nor creed, as he realized the value of the work of all denominations. The pres-