Andrew Parsons (July 22, 1817 – June 6, 1855) was an American politician from the U.S. state of Michigan. He served as the 9th lieutenant governor of Michigan and as the 10th governor of Michigan. Parsons was the last Democratic Governor of Michigan until Josiah Begole took office in 1883.
Early life in New York
Parsons was born in Hoosick, New York. He was the son of John Parsons, and the grandson of Andrew Parsons, a Revolutionary soldier, who was the son of Phineas Parsons, the son of Samuel Parsons.
Life and politics in Michigan
Parsons moved to Michigan Territory in 1835 and spent the summer teaching in Ann Arbor. In the fall, he explored nearly the entire length of the Grand River valley by canoe, from Jackson to Lake Michigan. He spent the winter working as a store clerk in Ionia County and in the spring went to Marshall to live with his brother, Luke H. Parsons. During his twenty-two months as governor, tax laws were improved and the practice of depositing surplus state funds in banks was opposed.
Retirement and death
In 1855, Parsons was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives from Shiawassee County district. He soon fell ill and retired to his farm in Corunna where he died at the age of 37, just five months after leaving office as governor.
His brother, S. Titus Parsons, years later, was also a member of the state house from the same district from 1863 to 1864 and 1867–68, as well as a delegate to Michigan state constitutional convention in 1867.