Georgia and Georgians - the Digital Library of Georgia

GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS 3179duties of citizenship, and, being a friend of education, lias served efficientlyas a member of the school board.Mr. Jelks was married at Hawkinsville, May 2, 1900, to Miss Lyla Napier,who was born at this place, a member of an old and honored family, and adaughter of Robert F. Napier. To this union there have been born twochildren, namely: Nathaniel Augustus, Jr., born in 1901, who is in the ninthgrade of the public schools; and Freeman, born March 15, 1903, who is inseventh grade. ^WILLIAM N. PARSONS. 'One of the most popular, nourishing and substantialfinancial institutions of Pulaski County is the First National Bank of Hawkinsville, of which the president is William N. Parsons, a banker of markedexecutive ability and great practical experience, who possesses those characteristics of energy, industry and integrity whichever combine to secure success.Mr. Parsons) belongs to that class of men who owe their prosperity to no outsidesources, having started his career in modest circumstances and worked his wayto the top through individual effort.William N. Parsons was born at Marlboro, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, October 30, 1869, and is a son of Benjamin F. and Rebecca (Wright)Parsons. The parents were natives of Massachusetts, where they were reared,educated an$ married, and came to Georgia during the early '70s, settling atHawkinsville, where Benjamin F. Parsons continued to be engaged in theinsurance business during the remainder of his life. He died in 1908, at theage of eighty-one years, while the mother still survives and makes her homeat Hawkinsville, being seventy-seven years of age. There were two children inthe family, William N. being the younger.The public schools of Hawkinsville furnished William N. Parsons withhis education, and when he was still a youth he entered upon his career. Fora number of years he followed various pursuits, accepting such honorableand profitable employment as came his way and waiting for the opportunitywhich he was sure would present itself. Merchandising interests found promotion at his .capable and energetic hands, in the insurance business he spenta short time, and other ventures of a commercial, industrial and financialnature were engaged in, but it was not until 1905 that he became firmly established among the leading business men of the city. In that year he becamethe organizer of the First National Bank of Hawkinsville, a concern which hassince grown and developed to large and important proportions. This is aninstitution with a capital of $50,000, which is justly accounted one of thestrong, substantial and conservative banking houses of Pulaski County, itsdepositors being attracted from all over this part of the state. Mr. Parsonsis also director'of the Hawkinsville Bank and Trust Company and presidentof the Boston Mercantile Company, the latter a successful dry goods businessof Hawkinsville. In every way he has shown himself possessed of the abilitywhich contributes so greatly in the upbuilding of any live and progressivecommunity, and his standing in business and financial circles is of the best,his associates placing the utmost confidence in his judgment and foresight.In political matters a democrat, Mr. Parsons has frequently represented hisparty as sf candidate, and has just as frequently been chosen by his fellowcitizensfor public service. As an alderman of Hawkinsville and in variousother capacities he has rendered faithful, conscientious and helpful service,thus further placing the city in his debt. When he can leave his heavy businessduties, Mr. Parsons is fond of going on hunting and fishing trips, and rarelyreturns without some trophy of the field, forest or stream.Mr. Parsons was married in October, 1895, at Hawkinsville, to Miss CarrieWaterman, daughter of John T. Waterman, of this, city, and four childrenhave been born to them: John, born in 1897, who is now attending EmoryCollege; William N., Jr., born in 1900, who is attending the Hawkinsville