John Parsons

John Parsons was my great grandfather. He was born in Moate, Co Westmeath in 1835. John developed the Parsons shoe shop business, opening two shops in Athlone and one each in Mullingar, Co Westmeath and Ballinasloe, Co Galway. In 1860 he married Mary Lenney whose father was the manager of Burgess’ Drapery in Athlone. The shops were very successful. John died in 1909 but Mary lived on until 1924. When she died she was living with her daughter Violet Fannin in Pembroke Park in Ballsbridge.