Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== SOURCE: Portrait and Biographical Record of Kalamazoo, Allegan and Van Buren Counties, Michigan Chapman Bros, Chicago - 1892 [Page 521-522] WILLIAM H. PARMELEE has a pleasant home on section 9, Hopkins Township, Allegan County. His parents were Alfred and Silvia (RUTTY) PARMALEE, natives of Connecticut, and farmers by occu- pation. After their marriage they moved to Ohio, and located in Summit County, where they were among the pioneers. They re- mained there for many years, and, when selling out, moved to In- diana, where they located on a farm, and remained until the death of the father in 1846. The mother then came to Michigan, where she passed away about twelve years ago. The parental family of our subject included eight children, only one of whom, Edwin, besides our subject, is living. Mr. and Mrs. Parmelee were members of the Congregational Church, and the father took an active part in politics, being a Whig. William H. PARMELEE was born October 23, 1830, in Middlesex County, Conn. He was taken to Ohio when an infant, by his par- ents, and was there given a good education, and reared on a farm. When completing his studies in the common schools, Mr. PARMELEE entered Western Reserve College, but was obliged to abandon his studies, when in his Sophomore year, on account of ill health. He is a truly self-made man, having worked during the summer months to pay his way through school. He picked up and sold chestnuts to pay for the first lexicon he ever owned. He taught school while prosecuting his studies. He later learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed a short time, and in 1855 came to Michigan. There were but two families located on the northwestern quarter of Hopkins Township at the time our subject came here, and his land was then in its primitive condition. He cleared a portion of his farm, and then returned to Ohio. A twelve-month later, he came back to the new home and erected a shanty in which to establish his family. His tract consisted of one hundred and twenty acres, to which he has since added, until he now has in his possession one hundred and sixty acres of land. In,1857, Mr. PARMALEE and Miss Clarissa BISSELL were united in marriage. Mrs. PARMALEE was the daughter of Blodget and Lucinda (PARDEE) BISSELL, the father a native of Massachusetts, and the mother of Connecticut. They settled on the Western Reserve in Ohio before the War of 1812, where they were farmers. Mrs. PARME- LEE was born March 27, 1831, in Ohio. Our subject has cleared one hundred acres of his estate, and placed it under excellent cultivation. The log house in which the family lived for fifteen years has given way to a pleasant dwelling. His large barn is 40x70 feet in dimensions, to which he has later added an eighteen foot wing. His granary is 18x26 feet, hog house, 16x24, and his poultry house, 14x18 feet. The latter is plastered, has a cement floor, and double windows. He also has a woodhouse, creamery, etc. The cattle in which he takes special pride are the Holstein. He also has Poland-China swine, and gives his attention exclusively to farming. Mr. and Mrs. PARMELEE have five children, all of whom are living, with one exception. Howard E. is a merchant at Hilliard's Station, and married Marian M. WATERMAN; they have one child. Silvia L. is the wife of James B. STUCH; Harmon B. married Laura SHIELDS; and Mason E. is single. The parents are members of the Congregational Church at Hilliards, in which body Mr. PARMELEE is Deacon and Trustee. He is also quite active in Sunday-school work, and is now Superin- tendent of the same. He has given his children excellent educational advantages, three of them having attended institutions of learning away from home. Mason E. is a graduate of the Business College at Valparaiso, Ind. Our subject has taken an interest in school affairs, and has been on the Board for a number of years. He is opposed to secret societies, and votes the Republican ticket, although he favors prohibition. He has been Township Clerk, School Inspector, and Supervisor of Hopkins Township. The BISSELL family in America are descended from the three brothers who crossed the Atlantic and settled in Massachusetts at an early day. The grandfather was a soldier in the War of 1812. ===========================================================================