Parsons, Reginald H., 1873-1955.

Reginald Parsons was an important civic and business leader during the first quarter of this century in Seattle. He was born on Long Island, New York on October 3, 1873. Parsons was the president of several enterprises, the most important being Parsons Investment Company. He also ran the Hillcrest Orchard Company and Methow Valley Livestock. Parsons was also the President of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce. Throughout his life he was actively involved in politics, but never ran for office. He was described as a "Republican of the Progressive type." Parsons passed away June 9, 1955 after a long illness.

From the description of Reginald H. Parsons papers, 1898-1950. (University of Oregon Libraries). WorldCat record id: 55673384

Hillcrest Orchard, near Medford, Oregon, was established by W.H. Stewart in 1904 and was purchased in 1908 by seattle investor Reginald H. Parsons, whose family currently continues to own and operate the orchard.

The orchard is one of the few surviving examples of the centrally planned orchard complexes that sprang up during the orchard boom period in the Rogue Valley. Twelve of the buildings at Hillcrest are listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1984 and all were designed by Medford architect Frank C. Clark.

[Source: Hillcrest Orchard website: http://hillcrestorchard.com/historic-hillcrest]

From the guide to the Hillcrest Orchard records, 1911-1977, (Special Collections and University Archives, University of Oregon Libraries)