Benjamin was first married to Sarah Tompkins on 26 Feb 1833 in Belmont Co, OH.
Family listed in 1840 with:
Males - 1<5, 1=5-9, 1=20-29 Female - 1=15-19, 1=20-29
He was the Steady Run Postmaster 1855-1865.
[Obituary]
PARRISH, BEN.
farmer, Sec. 23; P. O. Martinsburgh; he has 305 acres of land which he has got under a high state of cultivation, with good house and barns, where he can enjoy his old age in peace and plenty; he was born May 12, 1811, in Belmont county, Ohio; there he was raised and educated in the old log cabin, with fire-place in one corner; he lived there till 1839, when he moved to Tuscarawas county, Ohio, where he lived till 1851, when he came to Iowa and settled where he now lives; he has been elected county supervisor, town trustee, and has held the office of justice of the peace about half the time since he has been in the State; he has been twice married; first February 26, 1833, to Miss R. Thompkins, a native of Ohio, who died December 28, 1840, leaving three children: Edward F., William and Malissa, all deceased; again January 6, 1842, to Mary J. Motmiller, a native of Pennsylvania, who died July 9, 1864, leaving a family of eleven children: Alonzo, Celina J., Anna M., Montraville, George M., Sarah E., J. C. Freemont, Millard F., and Thomas C. living, and Eliza who died in the army in July, 1864, and Deborah deceased.