"An Illustrated History of Whitman County, state of Washington." San Francisco: W. H. Lever, 1901. p. 349. JAMES PARVIN The honored pioneer whose life record we must now attempt to outline is one of the prominent agriculturists of Whitman county and one of those whose brawn and energy have wrought its industrial development and made it one of the two greatest producers and exporters among the counties of the Evergreen state. Mr. Parvin was born in Quincy, Illinois, on the 7th of September, 1830, his parents being Arthur and Elizabeth (Nabb) Parvin. His early years were passed in the community which he claims as his birthplace, and his educational discipline was such as could be had in a pioneer log school-house, wherein was a large fireplace and slabs with legs. set in them for seats and desks. When he had acquired in this manner sufficient learning, as was supposed, to fit him tolerably well for the responsibilities of life, he engaged in farming, and that has been his business almost continuously since. In 1854 he removed to Shelby county, Missouri, where for the ensuing eighteen years he was numbered among the tillers of the soil. His farming was, however, interrupted for a time during the war of the Rebellion, for the voice of patriotism then summoned him to sterner duties. On April 13, 1862, he became a member of Company G, Eleventh Missouri Cavalry, and from that until February 28, 1864, he followed the stirring life of camp and field. His regiment was divided and the part to which he belonged was assigned the task of fighting guerillas and bushwhackers in southwestern Missouri and in Arkansas. He participated in many fights and endured some trying campaigns, the cause of his discharge, when it finally came, being sickness. Upon retiring from military service, he returned to Shelby county, Missouri, remaining until 1875, in which year he came out to California. He followed the dairy business there until 1879, which year is the date of his advent to Whitman county. Shortly after his arrival he took as a homestead a quarter section of land about six miles east of Colfax, which, with forty acres purchased later, he still owns and cultivates. His land is equal in fertility to the high general average of the great Palouse country, and has an advantage over some in that it possesses an abundant supply of water. The place has been highly improved by assiduous effort, and its thrifty, comfortable appearance bears eloquent testimony to the energy and judicious management of its owner. Mr. Parvin married, in Missouri, on February 3, 1856, Miss Sarah A., daughter of James and Margaret (Howe) Sherry, and a descendant of Ellis Howe who rendered himself famous by inventing the sewing machine. They have four children: William A., who married Lillie Kenoyer, living in Guy; J. Shelby, residing on Four Mile; Henry M., who married Nora Parkins and is living on the home place; Ollie B., at present going to school in Colfax; in addition to her other studies she is taking bookkeeping and music, in which latter she has made such commendable progress that she devotes part of her time to teaching music. Mr. Parvin also owns some valuable property in the city of Colfax. ******************* Submitted to the Washington Biographies Project in September 2010 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.