Dr. John Parsons lived in both Decatur and Henderson Counties where he practiced medicine for about 50 years. He owned land north of the railroad tracks which were built in 1880. The officials of the Tennessee Midland Railroad named the town Parsons in honor of him. John Parsons born 1806 married first Sarah Ingram
Children:
Margret C. born 1834,
Abigail born 1836,
Jasper born 1838,
John married second Mary Ann Long born 1824,
Children:
Thomas S. born 1845
Barby M. born 1847
Amanda born 1850 married Clark Deffee
John Franklin born 1853 married Betty Rains