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NAVIGATION
Michigan
Histories
Allegan County
Biographies
Online Biographies
Illinois
Histories
Also see [Railway Officials in America 1906]
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Alfred and Sylvia (Rutley) Parmelce were each born in Middlesex Co., Conn., in 1798 and 1799, respectively,
where they were united in marriage in 1823. Their son, James E., whose life forms the subject of this brief biographical
sketch, was the third of seven children, having been born in the year 1828. During his third year he became, with
his parents, a resident of Summit Co., Ohio, and later of Clay Co., Ind.
After a brief residence in the latter State he was left fatherless, and the mother, not having formed attachments
in her new home, determined to return to her friends in Ohio. James remained with the family until twentyone, when
lie became ambitious for a more independent life. He attained proficiency in the occupation of a carpenter and
joiner, and for five years labored assiduously at his trade. With the accumulation of these years he embarked for
Michigan, and chose a home in Hopkins in the spring of 1854. The eighty unimproved acres which he purchased, evinced
in its rapidly improved condition his energy. He in 1858 erected a comfortable residence (a view of which will
be found on another page), and speedily returned to Ohio to bring to it a wife. Mrs. Parmelee was formerly Miss
Catharine White, daughter of Hanford White, Esq., who was horn in Middlesex Co., Conn., in 1797, and married in
April, 1822, Miss Hepzabah Pratt. Of a family of seven children, Mrs. Parmelee is the fifth. Mr. Parmelee has added
to the dimensions of the farm since the first purchase, which now embraces a suger grove of nine hundred trees
that has been for years remarkably productive. The buildings upon this fine estate were erected by him personally.
Their pleasant home is enlivened by the presence of two children, — Gilbert H. born June 6, 1860, and Otis A.,
whose birth occurred June 19, 1864.
FROM:
History of Allegan and Berry Counties, Michigan
With Illistrations and Biographical Sketches
of Their Men and Pioneers.
D. W. Ensign & Co., Philadelphia 1880
Press of J. B. Lippincoff & Co., Philadelphia.
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