DECATUR, Ill. – Before he made history on the federal bench, James B. Parsons ’34 was a young musician in Decatur, playing cornet in the high school band, singing in church choirs, and preparing for a future few could have imagined.
Parsons’ journey that took him from Decatur to Millikin University and ultimately to the federal bench, remains a source of pride for both the University and the community he called home.
Born in Kansas City, Parsons’ family moved to Decatur, where Parsons' talents and leadership quickly became evident. He graduated from Decatur High School in 1929 and was selected as class orator. Deeply engaged in the arts, Parsons was an active member of the school’s band, orchestra, and glee clubs, performed vocal solos, and served as director of the orchestra and evening choir at St. Peter’s African Methodist Episcopal Church. 
Parsons enrolled at Millikin University, earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1934. His studies were focused on music, and after graduating, he taught music at schools in Missouri and North Carolina. While at Millikin, he was very active on campus, taking part in Kappa Alpha Psi, Conant Society, Le Cercle Francais, the Decaturian, Verse Choir, Debate, and A Capella Choir.
During World War II, Parsons served in the U.S. Naval Reserve from 1942 to 1945. After the war, he pursued graduate studies at the University of Chicago, earning a master’s degree in 1946 and his law degree in 1949. His master’s thesis focused on civil rights protections – foreshadowing a legal career defined by fairness and justice.
Parsons began practicing law in Chicago, taught at John Marshall Law School, and held several key public service roles, including Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago and Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. In 1960, he was elected to the Superior Court of Cook County.
In 1961, President John F. Kennedy nominated Parsons to serve as a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, making him the first African American appointed to a United States district court. He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate later that year and went on to serve with distinction for more than three decades. 
Parsons was named Chief Judge of the Court from 1975 to 1981 and remained active in the judiciary until his death in 1993. He also served as a member of the Judicial Conference of the United States, contributing to the administration of the federal courts nationwide
In recognition of his early professional achievements, Millikin awarded Parsons the Alumni Merit Award in 1955.
Parsons passed away on June 19, 1993, in Chicago, Illinois, but his story endures and his impact continues to be felt in Decatur today.
In 1967, Parsons Elementary School was named in his honor, celebrating both his national achievements and his local roots. In 2025, his legacy was further recognized with the unveiling of a historical marker on the Macon County African American Heritage Trail, placed near the school. The marker honors Parsons and Black educators whose contributions helped shape education and civic life in Decatur, ensuring that future generations understand the significance of their community’s history.
