Lang, H. O., ed. "The History of the Willamette Valley, Being A Description of the Valley and its Resources, with an account of its Discovery and Settlement by White Men, and its Subsequent History; Together with Personal Reminiscences of its Early Pioneers." Portland, OR, Geo. H. Himes, Book and Job Printer, 1885. p. 604. JOSIAH L. PARRISH Of all the old settlers of Oregon none commands a greater share of respect than the subject of this sketch, nor has any individual accumulated a greater amount of experience and knowledge of this State. Mr. Parrish came to Oregon as an assistant to the Methodist Missionary Board, and continued the work of evangelizing the Indians for nearly twenty years. He was born in Onondaga County, New York, in 1806, and is of Dutch and English extraction. He was taught the blacksmith's trade, and being a member of the Methodist Church, and gifted with a desire to proselytize, he became local preacher for that sect in Alleghany County, New York. The Methodist Missionary Board, as will be seen by a reference to previous pages, was intent upon forming an establishment in Oregon, and in 1839 Mr. Parrish volunteered his services, and set out for Oregon with the missionary family organized by the Rev. Jason Lee, and set sail for Oregon in 1839, in the ship "Lausanne," Captain Josiah Spaulding. The missionary force consisted of the following persons: Rev. Jason Lee and wife; Rev. J. H. Frost, wife and child; Rev. Gustavus Hines, wife and child; Rev. William Kone and wife; Rev. Alvan F. Waller, wife and two children; Dr. J. F. Richmond, wife and four children; Dr. Ira F. Babcock, wife and child; George Abernethy (mission steward), wife and two children; W. W. Raymond (farmer) and wife; Henry B. Brewer (farmer) and wife; Lewis H. Judson (cabinet-maker), wife and three children; Josiah L. Parrish (blacksmith), wife and three children; James Alley (carpenter); Hamilton Campbell (carpenter), wife and child; Misses Maria T. Ware, Chloe A. Clark, Elmira Phillips and Almira Phelps, (teachers); Orpha Lankton (stewardess), and Thomas Adams (Indian boy). The above came safely around Cape Horn and located first at the old mission near the present town of Wheatland. There, for three years, Mr. Parrish performed the blacksmithing, and was then appointed missionary to the Indians at the Clatsop Plains, and staid there three years. Then returning to the valley he became preacher to the circuit which extended from Portland to Corvallis, performing these duties in conjunction with Rev. David Leslie and Dr. W. H. Willson. In 1847 and succeeding years he preached in the west side circuit, and for a time in Portland. In 1849 he received the appointment of sub-Indian agent from President Taylor, and served for five years, or until 1854. He was thus the first regularly appointed Indian agent in Oregon, the circle of his duties extending to all parts of the then Oregon. In 1854 President Pierce extended his appointment, but owing to ill-health he was compelled to resign. In 1855 he became a missionary among the Indians, and visited many tribes, ministering particularly at the Grand Ronde Agency. For three or four subsequent years he rode a circuit and preached, in widely varying localities; but owing to ill-health he was compelled to retire from active duties, and settled at Salem, his present home. Mr. Parrish is regarded as one of the best informed individuals, as regards Oregon history, that is to be found; and his statements in all things reflect the candid and straightforward mind of an honest gentleman. His recollections cover an interesting and extended period in the State's history, and his evidence is indispensable to any one who would seek to obtain an accurate knowledge of the events of early years. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in June 2005 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.