William C. Parriott, born June 13, 1872, in Peru, Nebraska, was the county superintendent of schools for Nemaha County. Son of William C. Parriott Sr., a West Virginia native who moved to Nebraska in 1866, William graduated from the State Normal School at Peru in 1896. After teaching for three years, he became county superintendent in 1899. He was re-elected in 1901, showcasing his dedication and popularity as an educator. On February 12, 1902, he married Bessie Tynan of Stella, Nebraska. The couple resided in Auburn, where William continued his impactful work in education.
William C. Parriott, county superintendent of schools of Nemaha County, Nebraska, is a native of the county in which he has been honored early in life with high official position in educational work. He was born in Peru, June 13, 1872. His father, William C. Parriott, was born in Moundsville, West Virginia, in January, 1829, and died in Peru, Nebraska, October 26, 1895. John Parriott, Professor Parriott’s grandfather, also a native of West Virginia, was a lawyer and planter, and was the father of six sons and two daughters, most of whom passed their lives as farmers; and of the number at this writing only one is living — Edgar Parriott, a resident of California. Grandfather Parriott died in Virginia, in the prime of life. He was a man of high intellectual attainments and figured prominently in the affairs of his day, several times being honored with a seat in the legislature of his state. He had the family name, which is English and was originally spelled “Parrott,” changed to its present spelling.
Professor Parriott’s mother was before marriage Miss Margaret Moore. She was born in Burlington, Iowa, in 1839, daughter of Francis Moore, who came to this country from Ireland. She was married to Mr. Parriott, in 1860, at Danville, Iowa, and after their marriage they lived in that state two years, removing thence to Cass County, Nebraska, which was the family home the next three years, two years of which time he was away in California engaged in mining. In 1866 they came to Nemaha County and settled on one hundred and sixty acres of land in Peru Township, which he improved and to which he subsequently added until his farm comprised two hundred and thirty-one acres. Here he died October 26, 1895, and on the home farm his widow is still living, with her two sons John and Grover. In their family were seven sons and two daughters, namely: Edward, who is interested in the insurance business at Peru, as a representative of the Ancient Order of United Workmen; Frank, a farmer near Brownville, this county; Joseph D., engaged in farming in Peru Township; Alma, wife of W. Rainey, of Union, Nebraska; William C.; Clara, wife of Charles T. Edwards, of Shubert, Nebraska; Lee R., a farmer of Peru Township; and John and Grover, who have charge of the home farm.
William C. Parriott is a graduate of the State Normal School at Peru, Nebraska, with the class of 1896. For three years he was employed as a teacher in the public schools and he is now serving his fourth year in the office of county superintendent of schools. As a candidate for this office in 1897 he was defeated by twenty-one votes; made his next run in 1899 and was elected. Being a Democrat in a Republican county, his election was by a small majority, and as showing the rapidity with which he grew in favor with the people when they learned his value as an educator and the earnestness with which he entered into his work, we state that when he was re-elected in 1901 he had a majority of 152 votes.
Mr. Parriott was married, February 12, 1902, to Miss Bessie Tynan, a native of Stella, Nebraska, and a daughter of Andrew and Jenny (Richardson) Tynan of that place. Mrs. Parriott was educated in the State University of Nebraska and previous to her marriage was a teacher. In their own pleasant home on one of the nicest streets of the pretty town of Auburn the Professor and Mrs. Parriott live.
Source: Lewis Publishing Company, A Biographical and Genealogical History of Southeastern Nebraska, 2 volumes, Lewis Publishing Company, 1904.