John A. Parrett
The Parrett family has been identified with the history of Fayette county for more than a century, John Parrett, the grandfather of John A. Parrett. having come to this county in 1812. Frederick and Barbara (Edwards) Parrett. the great-grandparents, came to Ross county in 1814, when they were well along in years. One of their children was John Parrett, who is the grandfather of John A., whose history is here recorded. John Parrett was born in the Shenandoah valley, Virgiuia, as was his wife, Catherine Windle, and they were married before coming to Ohio. They first settled in Fayette county, this state, in 1812, with their two children, Mrs. Sarah Griffith, and Eli, the father of the immediate subject of this review. John Parrett saw service in the War of 1812 and then, upon returning to peaceful pursuits at the close of that struggle, located in Jefferson township, on Paint creek, where he lived the remainder of his life. He was familiarly known to the people of his township as "Paint John." while his cousin, Joseph, went bv the pseudonym "Paint Joe." "Paint Joe's" father was wounded at the battle of Brandywine during the Revolutionary War.
Eli Parrett was born in the Shenandoah valleu, Virginia, February 4, 1811. and was less than a year old when his parents settled in Fayette county. Here he grew to manhood and married twice. His first marriage was to Lydia Robinson, and to this union three children were born: Mrs. Lucinda Bailey; Mary, deceased, and Catherine, deceased. Mrs. Bailey has three children who are living in the .state of Oregon, Lawrence. Katie and Harry. After the death of his first wdfe. Eli Parrett married Sarah Connor, and to his second unidn were born five children: John A.; E. E. S., a farmer of this county; Mrs. .Mekla L. Johnson; Clayton C, a farmer of Jefferson township. this county, and Anna M., the wife of Mart L. McCoy. Eli Parrett was a successful farmer and at the time of his death was the owner ol two hundred and sixty acres of land in the county.
John A. Parrett, the oldest son of Eli Parrett and wife, was born December 19, 1846, in Jefferson township. He was given the limited education to be obtained during his childhood days and early in life began to work upon the farm. He was not old enough to enlist in the army at the opening of the Civil War, and as soon as he was old enough he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Sixty-eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered into service on May 2, 1864. He served until the close of the war and then returned to this county and resumed farming. That he was a successful farmer is shown by the fact that he is the owner of three hundred acres of fine land in Jefferson township.
Mr. Parrett was married October 1. 1876, to Emma Mercer, the daughter of John D. and Mary (Moon) Mercer, natives of Greene county. Ohio, and to this union has been born one daughter. Mary, the wife of Auburn Duff.
Mr. Parrett is a member of the D. H. Millikan Post, Grand Army of the Republic. and interested in its welfare. Religiously, he and his wife are loyal and consistent members of the Methodist Protestant church.
From History of Fayette County Ohio - Her People, Industries and Institutions by Frank M. Allen (1914, R. F. Bowen & Company, Inc.)