Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Embracing Events, Institutions, Industries, Counties, Cities, Towns, Prominent Persons, Etc

Parrott, Marcus J., member of Congress, was born at Hamburg, S. C., Oct. 27, 1828, but his parents removed to Dayton, Ohio, when he was a small boy. His father was of Quaker, anti-slavery ancestry, who moved into Ohio to escape the influences of that institution. Marcus received his education at Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa., where he graduated in 1849. After completing his collegiate course he studied law and began practice in Ohio. He entered actively into politics there and was elected representative to the state legislature in 1853. In 1855 he came to Kansas and settled in Leavenworth, where he soon became a prominent figure in the political life of the territory. In 1856 he succeeded John W. Whitfield as delegate in Congress, being the first Free State delegate from this territory, and was reflected in 1858. Mr. Parrott failed to distinguish himself, as his friends confidently expected, and at the first election of senators he was a candidate, but was defeated by Samuel C. Pomeroy. In 1862 and again in 1864 he was a candidate for Congress on the "Union ticket" and was both times defeated. In 1872 he joined the ''Liberals'' but was again defeated. After this defeat he became a Democrat. About 1878 Mr. Parrott was found to be suffering from softening of the brain. He died at the home of his sister at Dayton, Ohio, in Nov., 1879.

Hinton, Richard J., journalist, who was for many years intimately connected with Kansas affairs, was born in London, England, Nov. 26, 1830. His early life was a struggle with poverty. He learned the stonecutter's trade, and notwithstanding the hardships to which he was subjected, managed to secure through his own efforts a good, practical education. He became interested in social and political problems, with the result that he wanted to be a citizen of a republic, and in 1851 he came to the United States. In New York he learned the printer's trade and studied medicine and topographical engineering. On Aug 31, 1856, he arrived in Lawrence, Kan., and for some time after that was engaged as a correspondent for various newspapers in New England, New York and Cleveland, Ohio. Early in 1862, he was commissioned first lieutenant to recruit and drill colored troops, being the first man in the United States to receive such a commission. Mr. Hinton held several positions of trust and responsibility. He was the reporter of the Leaven- worth constitutional convention and of the impeachment court of 1862. In 1867 he was appointed commissioner of immigration; was later made inspector of United States consulates in Europe, and in 1873 he was President Grant's special agent at Vienna. He wrote a great deal on subjects relating to Kansas, and was the author of a historical work entitled "The War on the Border." About the beginning of the present century Mr. Hinton returned to his native land and died in London on Dec. 20, 1901.