Toombs County, Georgia History and Genealogy Project

Toombs County, Georgia Biographies

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COL. THOMAS J. PARRISH. An able and influential member of the bar, Col. Thomas J. Parrish has won prestige as a lawyer, his broad and comprehensive knowledge of law and of precedents bringing him well merited success. A native son of Georgia, he was born on a farm in Emanuel County, near Summit, and was there a resident until twenty-two years old.

Receiving his elementary education in the public schools of Emanuel County, Thomas J. Parrish continued his studies at the Agricultural College of the University of Georgia, in Dahlonega. He afterwards taught school two years, during which time he read law. Going then to Swainsboro, Emanuel County, he entered the office of F. H. Saffold, with whom he studied law until admitted to the bar, under state examination, in March, 1899. Mr. Parrish at once began the practice of his profession in Swainsboro, remaining there until 1905. In that year, at the organization of Toombs County, Mr. Parrish located at Lyons, the county seat, and has here built up an extensive and highly remunerative practice, being one of the leading lawyers of the city, and attorney for the Seaboard Air Line Railroad Company. He is active and prominent in public matters, and for two years served as mayor of Lyons, giving to the city a clean administration. Fraternally he is a member of Toombs Lodge, No. 195, Knights of Pythias, and a past councillor. He is an official member of the Methodist church, which he is serving as steward.

Mr. Parrish married Miss Berta Barnes, of Dawson, Georgia. She passed to the higher life, in December, 1907, leaving one child, Thomas J. Parrish, Jr.

Mr. Parrish's father, James M. Parrish, was born in Bulloch County, Georgia, while his wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Dixon, was born in Warren County, Georgia, where during the Civil War her father enlisted for service in the Confederate Army.

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