Born on a farm near McCormick, Pope County, Illinois, Parsons attended the public schools.

He was graduated from Southern Illinois State Normal School at Carbondale in 1923.

He moved to Golconda, Illinois, in 1922 to become county superintendent of schools, in which capacity he served until 1930.

He was appointed first assistant administrator of the United States Housing Authority February 14, 1941, and served until his death in Washington, D.C., May 23, 1941.

This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress