Mason J. Parmenter was born in New York State, April 22, 1852, son of Mason and Eliza Parmenter, who came to Mower County in 1859, preempted land and spent the remainder of their lives, the former dying in 1877 and the latter in 1881. M.J. came to Minnesota with his parents, and at the death of his father took the home place in partnership with his brother, John E.

He now owns 280 acres and carries on general farming. He was married in March 1891.