GENERAL JAMES C. PARROTT

PARROTT, BUCHHALTER

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/21/2020 at 09:40:16

GENERAL JAMES C. PARROTT, present Postmaster of Keokuk, is a native of Talbot County, Maryland where he was born May 21, 1811. He was educated and remained in his native place till 1831, when he went to Wheeling, West Virginia, and remained there till February, 1834. He then joined the first regiment of the United States dragoons at Wheeling, and after landing at Jefferson Barracks, and making a campaign against the Indians in the Rocky Mountains, went into winter quarters at Camp Des Moines (now Montrose), Lee County, Iowa, in September 1834.

Such was the introduction of Col. Parrott into Iowa, and into the county, of which he has ever since been an honored and worthy citizen. He participated in the “border war.” which grew out of the dispute about the boundary line of Missouri. In 1861, he volunteered in the government service, raised a company of recruits in the city of Keokuk, was mustered into the regiment in July, 1861, as captain of said company, remained in the service till July, 1865, and was mustered out with an honorable record.

We find in the appointments by brevet in the Volunteer Army of the United States, made by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, from March 13, 1865, to July 28, 1866, the following:

“Lieutenant-Colonel James C. Parrott, of the Seventh Iowa Volunteers, for gallant and meritorious service at the battle of Belmont (Missouri), Forts Henry and Donaldson and Shiloh (Tennessee), Corinth and Iuka (Mississippi), in the Atlanta campaign, the march to the sea and through the Carolinas; and for faithful services through the war, to date from March 13th, 1865.”

Col. Parrott was married on the 4th of September 1838, to Miss Henrietta Buchhalter, a native of Philadelphia, who came to Lee County when eighteen years of age. Five children have been the result of this union, three sons and two daughters. His eldest son, T. J. Parrott, was in the Second Iowa during the rebellion, and rendered efficient assistance for two years in the signal service department.

In April, 1867, Col. Parrott was appointed Postmaster of Keokuk, and has served regularly to the present time, having been re-appointed in 1871. He is a capable and popular postmaster, discharging his civil responsibilities with the same fidelity and thoroughness that marked his military career. He is a man of good abilities, of a pleasant and agreeable address, and has the faculty of making and retaining hosts of friends. We know of no more polite and accommodating postmaster in any city than Col. James C. Parrott of Keokuk.

Source:
Illustrated Historical ATLAS of Lee County, IOWA
A. T. Andreas
Chicago, ILL.
1874

Transcription by Mary H. Cochrane, Volunteer