PARSONS, ARTHUR H., farmer and wool grower of Manti is a son of James and Mary (Reeves) Parsons, born in Keokuk, Ia., September 26, 1859. His parents joined the Mormon Church about 1850 in England. His father was born in Somersetshire, England, and was a brass moulder by trade; he died in Hamilton, Hancock County, I11., July 25, 1871; mother now living in Manti. In 1866 the family came to this country and settled in Hamilton. In 1876 Arthur came to Manti and remained here about ten months and then returned to Illinois. In October, 1880, himself and mother came to Manti, where he was engaged in various occupations until he accumulated a little means and then he bought a small farm near town and also embarked in the sheep business. Mr. Parsons being naturally a progressive man, began to improve on the native breed of sheep. He has imported a number of tine Vermont merinos and now has 3500 head of the finest sheep in Sanpete County. He has erected in the northwestern part of the city one of the finest brick residences in the city, with barns and other buildings to match. He is junior past grand of Temple City Lodge No. 23, I. O. O. F. Mr. Parsons joined the Mormon church since coming, to Manti. He stands high in the estimation of the people and is considered an honorable, upright citizen. He married in Salt Lake City October 8, 1883, Miss Nellie, daughter of John and Ellen Walker, born in New Zealand, November 5, 1864. Their children are: James J., born June 22, 1884; Arthur H., June 13, 1886; Leonard R, April 14, 1889; Lamonte R, October 11, 1891, died April 2, 1892; Andrew L., January 29, 1893, Aldon L., August 19, 1895, and Nellie M.
PATTEN, HON. JOHN, farmer, son of John and Hannah, was born in Green county, Indiana, June 20, 1825. The family joined the Mormon Church among the earliest members, and in 1833 removed to Jackson county, Mo. They passed through the persecutions of the Mormons and went to Iowa, where John grew up and went into the pine woods of Wisconsin. He came to Utah in 1850 and located in Manti, under the quarry, assisting in building the fort. Took part in the Walker and Black Hawk wars and has always been an active man. Was a representative to the Territorial Legislature, Sheriff of the county and a member of the City Council. Married in Manti to Candace, daughter of Albert, and Esther Smith. She died, leaving two sons and three daughters. Was married again to Emily, a sister of the first, wife. She had three sons and two daughters. She was the widow of Cyrenus H. Taylor, by whom she had three sons and two daughters.
PEACOCK, HON. GEORGE, deceased, son of George and Mary Noddings, was born in England July 30, 1822. The family removed to Canada, where father died in 1831. Mother married John Clark, and in 1837, the family removed to the United States, locating in Missouri. The next year they went to Iowa, where George, afterward known as "Judge Peacock," married Sarah Lowry April 4, 1840. In July of that year he was baptized in the Mormon Church and went to Nauvoo, Illinois, where he volunteered as a guard to the prophet Joseph Smith. In 1846 he left with the Saints and assisted in building the first ferryboat, to cross the Missouri river at Council Bluffs. He came to Utah in 1850 and located at Manti. He served as Probate Judge and a member of the Territorial Legislature. Was the first postmaster in Manti and a representative citizen in his day. He performed a, mission to England and was adjutant of the Sanpete military district during the Black Hawk war. He had three wives: Sarah, Mary and Sarah Bell, and left twenty-three children, who are well and favorably known throughout Utah.
PETERSON, ANDREW, Temple worker, son of Peter and Anna Anderson, was born in Horsted, Thisted, Denmark, May 1, 1850. He was raised on a farm, joined the Mormon Church in 1870 and spent two years as a traveling elder. In 1873 he came to Utah, residing four years in Salt Lake City, and then removed to Manti. He worked eight years in quarrying rock and helping to build the Temple, then went on a two years mission to the Southern States, where he had charge of the West Tennessee conference for six months. On his return he entered the Temple as a. worker and has been engaged there since then, with perfect satisfaction to all concerned. He is also engaged in the poultry business and is a much respected citizen, being an earnest worker in church and business affairs. Was married in Salt Lake City September 20, 1873, to Christina Neilsen, born April 14, 1852. They have had eight children: Annie, Andrew, one of the volunteers in the United States army in war with Spain; Christina, William H, Emeline Viola, living; Richard, Christian and Albert, deceased.