Thomas J. Parrott, trustee of Hawkins County, was born there January 23, 1857, and finished his education at the high schools of Macedonia and Sabina (Ohio). He began on the farm of John Simpson, at the age of twelve years, and labored two years; then went to Joseph A. Bassett’s, in the same neighborhood, and worked five years, regularly, except four months, during which time he was in school. In the meantime while he worked for J. A. Bassett, he recited lessons every night to Miss Addie Johnson, who was governess in the house of Mr. Bassett. Miss Johnson gave him his first lessons in grammar and arithmetic, and we would study his lessons during the day and recite at night. He learned to repeat all of the multiplication tables, while hauling rails with an ox team, in the winter of 1871. He began on the farms of John Simpson and Joseph A. Bassett, and when nineteen, worked on the farms of W. McKibben and Andrew M. Hunter, in Ohio. He taught school one year in Ohio, and in 1881 returned to East Tennessee, and then engaged in teaching in Greene County, a short time. He was then a salesman for Jones & Gray, at Choptack, for about twenty months, and then bought out the store, but two years later quit that business,. In August 1886, he was elected to his present position, as a Republican, over L. H. Charles, the Democratic nominee by 354 votes. December 10, 1884, Sarah E. Davis became his wife. She is a cultured lady of this county. Cora N., their only daughter was born October 8, 1885. He and his wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.

Transcribed by Betty Mize from Goodspeed’s History of Tennessee, 1886.