My Genealogy Hound

AUGUSTINE S. PARISH. This is the name of a highly respected and very successful farmer in the town of Ovid, and a man widely experienced in the affairs of the world. He was born in this town, October 27, 1841, a son of William F. and Hannah A. (Bailey) Parish, natives of New Jersey and Orange County, N. Y., respectively. His grandfather, Thomas Parish, was a native of England, and came to this country and settled in New Jersey. For his first wife he married Eunice Farmer, and removed to this county about the year 1830. He had a large family of children, of whom we mention the following: John, who was a farmer, located near Chicago. Benjamin made his home in Tecumseh, Mich. Peter lives near Eaton Rapids, in the same state. Seneca is a hardware merchant in Chicago. Isaiah is a painter in Shortsville. Jacob is in Michigan. Kate married Fermon Conover, and went to the same state. Mary married Seneca Harvey, and died in this state. William F. is the youngest child. The grandfather’s second wife bore him no children. He was a farmer by occupation, and spent the last years of his life at Waterloo, where he passed the full Biblical allowance of fourscore years. In the Reformed Church he served as an Elder.

William F. Parish, the father of our subject, was born in 1817, and came to Seneca County with his family by wagon. He was a farmer all his life, and at his death, February 21, 1892, possessed ninety-six acres. In politics he was a Republican, and in religion a member of the Presbyterian Church. His wife, who is still living, became the mother of five children, of whom our subject is the eldest. Lyman W. is Postmaster and a merchant at Starkey. William Farmer is a resident of the town of Seneca Falls. Mary married Filmore Slack, and died in Ovid, leaving no children. Martha is the wife of Charles Rice.

Our subject was reared on the farm, was educated at Ovid Academy, and resided at home until 1862, when he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Twenty-sixth New York Infantry. After serving one year and participating in the battle of Harper’s Ferry, he was discharged on account of physical disability and returned home. One year later, however, he was called to Washington, D. C., to take a position in the Quartermaster’s office, and after holding this position one year he again came back to his native town. Here, in 1867, Susan, daughter of Leland Fenner, became his bride. She was born near Akron, Erie County, N. Y., May 10, 1846. After his marriage Mr. Parish purchased a farm, and has continued to cultivate the same to the present time. He has been the owner of several valuable places, and now owns sixty-six acres. In connection with this he carries on a rented farm of nearly two hundred and fifty acres.

Politically Mr. Parish is a Republican. His party has put him into several important local offices, and he is now serving a term of four years as Supervisor. He is an earnest worker in local politics, and his word goes a long way in determining party affairs. In religious and social matters he takes much interest, and is a member of the Baptist Church, of the order of Patrons of Husbandry, and of the Grand Army of the Republic. For two years Mr. Parish traveled over the western regions of this country, and he feels that he knows something about the land in which he lives, more, perhaps, than many of the “globe-trotters” who are constantly busy on the other side of the world. He has been honest and active, and by his careful economy has accumulated all his property.

Mr. and Mrs. Parish are the parents of four sons. George S. is a railroad agent at Sheldrake. Frank A. fills the same position at Cayuga. John L. is a telegraph operator; while Hiram B. is still at home. The two eldest boys began railroading at the age of sixteen, learning operating while working on the farm.