son of Solvin & Sarah (Holmes) Converse

md. Wilbraham, 3 Oct. 1816 Sally Alden

Children:

1) Judith Bester b. 9 Nov. 1817
2) Orrin b. 22 Jan. 1819
3) Emeline b. 14 Mar. 1820
4) Washington b. 2 Nov. 1821
5) Laura Alden b. 3 Mar. 1823
6) Phronema T. b. 13 Apr. 1824
7) Louisa Augusta b. 10 Jul. 1825
8) Amanda b. 19 Jun. 1830
9) Minerva b. 4 Mar. 1832
10) Jeannette b. 2 Apr. 1834
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He was President of The First National Bank of Stafford from it's incorporation until 1869. He was an active and enterprising citizen of Stafford, and a valuable member of the town and church, serving both in various capacities. He was elected representative and was twice a member of the Connecticut Senate. All his relations in life were charactarized by the highest integrity. With his brother, Solva, he was among the early and successful manufacturers of woolen goods in New England, starting at first in the manufacture of satinets. It was in those days, also, that the blast furnace for converting iron ore into iron castings was started. Prior to the beginning of his manufacturing career, he was principally occupied with his farm, but had much to do with the teaming, mostly by ox-teams, necessitated by the blast furnaces of which there were three in Stafford, and which for a time constituted a leading interest of the town. The first woolen mill of Stafford was projected and mostly built by him around 1840; and in 1853 he organized the Converseville Company for the manufacture of satinets and jeans, which was a very successful enterprise. After 1830 he was Captain of a militia company, succeeding his brother Solva in that rank. In those days it was an especial honor to fill that office. He and his brother Solva were the largest contributors to the Methodist Church in Stafford. It was principally with that church, and the Baptist Church, the the descendants of Solvin Converse were at that time identified. One of Parley Converse's contemporaries, in 1901, at an advanced age, recalled many enjoyable visits in his younger days to the pleasant home of Parley Converse, which was always open to his friends, who seemed to be the entire community, and his gracious and generous wife rejoiced to second her husband's hospitality. Both died at the home where they long resided in Stafford Springs, and their deaths were sorrows deeply mourned by the people.
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Source: Some of the Ancestors and Descendants of Samuel Converse, Jr: Vol. I, p. 258-9