Capt. Thomas F. Parrett
The Parrett family was one of the first to settle in Fayette county after its organization in 1810 and have been prominently connected with the various phases of its history for more than a century. A large number of the family served in the Civil War and made gallant records for themselves. One of the leaders of the family in this county for nearly seventy-five years is Captain Thomas F. Parrett, a distinguished veteran of the Civil War and one of the most successful farmers of Fayette county.
Thomas F. Parrett, the son of George and Anna (Fletcher) Parrett, was born April 19, 1840, in Jefferson township, in this county. His father, the son of John and Catherine (Wendell) Parrett, was born in the same township in 1813, being one of the first white children born in the county. John Parrett was a native of Rockingham county, Virginia, and was married in that state before coming to Ohio. To John Parrett and wife were born ten children, Mrs. Sarah Griffith, Eli, George, A. F., Mrs. Leah Allen. Mrs. Bessie Kirk, Allan T., Mrs. Balinda Brown and two who died in infancy. The first two children were born in Virginia before the family located in Fayette county, while the rest of them were born in Jefferson township in this county.
The log school houses were all that the county had during the school days of Mr. Parrett and in them he learned the three R's, "readin', 'ritin' and 'rithmetic." He worked on the home farm after leaving school and at the age of twenty-two enlisted in the Civil War. He served about a year as a member of Company H, Sixtieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, enlisting in 1862. Upon the organization of the One Hundred and Sixty-eighth Regiment of Volunteer Infantry he was elected captain of Company D. This regiment was mustered into the service May 2, 1864, and continued in the field until the close of the war. Captain Parrett made a splendid record as a soldier and has always been very much interested in everything pertaining to the welfare of the old soldiers. He is a loyal member of the Grand Army of the Republic, belonging to Hays Post at Washington C. H.
At the close of the war Mr. Parrett returned to peaceful pursuits, buying a small farm of thirty-three acres near Parrett's Station. In the fifty years which have elapsed since the war closed he has accumulated a fine farmof six hundred acres about six miles from the county seat in Wayne township. He has been an extensive stock raiser and ships several car loads of stock to the markets every year.
Mr. Parrett was married first to Mary M. Greenlee and to this union were born three children, Frank L., Fantie B., and Carey G., who married Cora Hays and has two children, Thomas and Mildred. The second marriage was to Mary B. Coffman, the daughter of Nathan and Sarah (Edwards) Coffman. Nathan Coffman was born in Wayne township, this county, and was a prominent farmer and influential citizen. Eight children were born to Mr. Coffman and his wife. William, Lois, Mrs. Charlotte Priddy, Benjamin F., John M., Mary B., Esther and Mrs. Jeanette Coffman. To the second marriage of Mr. Parrett has been born three children, Harry C, T. F.. Jr. (deceased), and Louis C. Harry C. married Madge Anderson and has two children, Dorothy M. and Robert C. Louis C. married Mary Hazel Sollars and has two children, Walter L. and Mary B.
Mr. Parrett has always given his support to the Republican party and has voted for every President from Lincoln to Taft. He was formerly very active in local politics and served several years ago as county commissioner. The career of Mr. Parrett has been commendable in every respect and such has been his life that he has earned the high regard and esteem of every one who knows him.
From History of Fayette County Ohio - Her People, Industries and Institutions by Frank M. Allen (1914, R. F. Bowen & Company, Inc.)