History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century/4/Matt Parrott
MATT PARROTT was born in Schoharie County, New York, in 1837 and, after securing an education, learned the printer's trade. In 1850 he went to Chicago where he obtained a position on one of the daily papers. From there he went to Davenport, Iowa, continuing in the trade of printer. He at one time became the owner of an interest in the Anamosa Eureka. In 1869 he went to Waterloo and, in company with J. J. Smart, purchased the Waterloo Reporter and printing establishment. In 1879 he secured the office of State Binder which he held for three terms. He was elected to the State Senate in 1885 and served two terms. In 1895 he was elected Lieutenant-Governor and reëlected in 1897. He was twice a candidate before Republican State Conventions for Governor but was defeated. Mr. Parrott, with his sons, converted the Reporter into a daily paper of which they became the sole owners. He was at one time President of the State Press Association, and was a life-long Republican. He died at Battle Creek, Michigan, on the 21st of April, 1900.