PARSONS, Levi, jurist, born in Kingsboro, New York, 1 July, 1822; died in New York city, 23 October, 1887. He was educated at Kingsboro academy, admitted to the bar, and practised in Little Falls, New York He emigrated to California in 1849, settled in San Francisco, and was one of the organizers of the Whig party in that city. He was elected judge of the San Francisco district in 1850, subsequently engaged in business, and built the Missouri, Kansas, and Texas railroad, of which he became the first president. He retired from public life in 1866, and spent his subsequent years in travel and in New York city. In 1880 he endowed the public library of Gloversville, New York, with $6,800, and $1,000 worth of books and engravings, and subsequently he gave Union college $50,000 for the support of students from Fulton and Montgomery counties. Union gave him the degree of LL.D. in 1881. See "Memorial Address," by Reverend William E. Park (Gloversville, New York, 1888).