Wells Parish Portrait and Biographical Record, Pages 441, 442 WELLS PARISH, a young and energetic agriculturist and prosperous mill-owner of Allendale Township, Ottawa County, Mich., is a native of the State, and was born in Polkton Township August 1, 1854. He is the son of Enos and Valeria (Wait) Parish, prominent citizens and pioneer settlers of the Wolverine State, and was educated among the scenes of his childhood in Polkton Township, and, trained to habits of self-reliant industry, attained to manhood well fitted to make his own way in life. Thoroughly grounded in agricultural duties, he began life for himself as a farmer, and although he remained with his father until twenty-five years old he received upon his twenty-first birthday forty acres of land, to which he added sixty acres, all at first entirely wild land, but since brought up to a high state of cultivation and improved with attractive and substantial buildings. When twenty-six years old, Mr. Parish was united in marriage with Miss Hattie Stevens, a native of New York and daughter of Ransom and Maria (Smead) Stevens, who, emigrating from the Empire State to the farther West, located in Michigan shortly after the final close of hostilities of the late Civil War. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens were the parents of seven children, six of whom survived to adult age. Emily became the wife of J. D. Pierson, of Sparta, Kent County, Mich.; Edward was killed while logging in Bass River, Mich.; Eliza is the wife of Henry Pierson, of this township; Milo makes his home in Allendale Township; Hattie is the wife of our subject; and Harrison lives in the township. When Mr. and Mrs. Parish were first married they gave their undivided efforts to the improvement of their homestead, whose fertile soil, soon yielding them an abundant harvest, amply remunerated the patient toilers for all the care and labor expended in seed-time and harvest. The handsome two-story residence, the excellent barns, and the general air of thrift and prosperity plainly reveal the success of the owners of the valuable farm. Mr. Parish also owns ten acres in Allendale Centre, where the family now reside, and where he is engaged in the sawmill business, also profitably running a feedmill. In 1889 our subject entered into milling, first conducting a feedmill and then sawing short stuff. In April, 1892, in company with Frank A. Parker, of Allendale Township, Mr. Parish built his present sawmill, which has a capacity of twelve thousand feet daily. The product of the mill is mostly disposed of in Grand Rapids, although the firm enjoys the custom of a large county trade. Since attaining his majority, our subject has placed in lands and milling machinery from $5,000 to $6,000, which he has accumulated by business ability and enterprise, being ably aided and encouraged by his intelligent life companion, who has proven herself a helpmate indeed. During the passing years eight children have, with their intelligence brightened the home of our subject and his estimable wife. Essie R. is the eldest-born; then follow in order of birth Artie L., Nellie M., Ada B. (deceased), Emily J., Charles R., Avis E. and Newton W. Mrs. Parish occupies a high social position, and is a valued member of the Ladies’ Aid Society of Allendale Township. Our subject is a stockholder, a Director and the first President of the Allendale Creamery Company, established in the spring of 1893, and takes an active interest in the promotion of all vital interests of the township and county. Politically a Democrat, and well posted in local and national issues, Mr. Parish is too absorbed in his business to devote much time to politics, and has never sought public office, but is nevertheless ever ready to do his full share in all matters of public welfare, and is numbered among the leading citizens and substantial men of Ottawa County.

Portrait & Biographical Record of Muskegon & Ottawa Counties, Michigan 1893, Chicago: Biographical Publishing Company

Transcriber: Susan Gates Davis
Created: 16 May 2003
URL: Biographies