REV. C. B. PARSONS DEAD

PASTOR OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH PASSED AWAY SUDDENLY AT EARLVILLE.

Was Visiting His Son at that Place When Summons Came.  Had a Long Pastorate and Was Greatly Beloved.

(July 10, 1907)

   This community was shocked last Wednesday to learn that Rev. C. B. Parsons of the Baptist church had died suddenly at the home of his son, James S. Parsons of Earlville.  Mr. Parsons had only started on his vacation the previous day and expected to be absent a month.  He had not been in good health for some years past and the few weeks previous to his death had suffered much distress from stomach troubles.

   Mr. Parsons left Oxford last week Tuesday for Clifton Springs, stopping in Earlville enroute.  While his family realized that he was a very sick man, none of them had the least thought that the end was so near.  He was cheerful himself and had been benefited before at the sanitarium, he was looking forward to speedy improvement again.  It was not until about 9 o'clock in the evening that alarming symptoms were noted.  He suffered great pain until the next morning when the end came at 8:45.  Even at that time Mr. Parsons did not realize that death was so near as he gave directions to communicate with the sanitarium at Clifton Springs and to hold his room until he was able to travel.

   Mr. Parsons had enjoyed an exceptionally long pastorate in this village.  He came here from Geneseo April 1st, 1892, and has served the Baptist church continuously since then, completing fifteen years last April.  His work as a pastor speaks for itself.  The church raised during his pastorate for all purposes, approximately $25,000, $3,800 of which was for the various benevolences.  He has welcomed into the church 301 persons, 201 of whom were received by baptism.  The membership in 1892 was 240, and now is 303.  Incidentally it may be mentioned that he married 148 couples.  His congregation, like most county congregations is scattered, and yet there are few churches better organized and working in unity. The relations between him and his people were the most cordial and affectionate, and by the people of the village he was highly esteemed and by those who knew him intimately he was greatly beloved.  He took up the work of interesting Andrew Carnegie in getting a pipe organ for the church several years ago, and the beautiful organ now in the church is the result.

   Curtis Burroughs Parsons was born at Shelby, Orleans County, N. Y., May 21, 1841.  He graduated from Rochester University in 1862 and from Rochester Theological Seminary in 1870.  He was ordained and served his first pastorate at Farmer Village, N. Y., 1870-74.  Subsequently he held pastorates at Nunda, 1874-76; Dunkirk, 1876-82; North East Pa., 1882-84; Knowlesville, N. Y., 1884-85, Geneseo, 1885-92, and since that time has been pastor in this village.

   Mr. Parsons is survived by his wife and two sons, James S. Parsons of Earlville and Lewis Parsons of Scranton.

   The funeral was held Saturday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock in the Baptist church.  The stores and principal business places were closed during the service.  The several clergy of the village and Rev. Lewis Halsey, D. D., of Clyde, assisted Rev. J. A. Hansen of Greene who was in charge of the service.  Mr. Hansen read several selections of scripture.  Rev. Frederick A. Lendrum of the Methodist Episcopal church offered prayer.  The choir sang, "Asleep in Jesus."  Rev. Theodore W. Harris of the Congregational church read the scripture.  Rev. Charles D. Broughton of St. Paul's church read a poem from Whittier, "In Peace."  Miss Halsey sang as a solo, "He Knows."  A sermon was delivered by Mr. Hansen, followed by the choir singing "Peace, Perfect Peace."  Dr. Halsey made a short address, and Mr. Lendrum pronounced the benediction.  Interment was made in Riverview cemetery.

   Mrs. Parsons will continue to make her home in Oxford.

NOTE:  THE DATE WAS HAND-WRITTEN ON THE ARTICLE.