BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO "History of the Upper Ohio Valley" Vol. II, 1890. Presented by Linda Fluharty from hard copies provided by Mary Staley & Phyllis Slater. Pages 510-511. JAMES PARKS, one of Belmont county's substantial farmers, and a justice of the peace of Flushing township, is one of five children born to John B. and Annis (Gillaland) Parks. The children are: James, William G., deceased; Hlram N., a carpenter of Uricksville; Adam G., also a resident of Uricksville, where he is foreman of a tile factory; Sarah E., deceased. The father and mother were married in Lafayette county, Penn., about the year 1838. After marriage he worked at the carpenter's trade until 1845, when he moved with his family to Harrison county, Ohio, where he bought a farm. He lived there until 1860, when he removed to Belmont county, living there for five years; he then settled in Morefield village, where he remained until his death, December 30, 1876. The mother still survives him, living with the children. Mr. and Mrs. Parks were members of the Baptist church, and brought their family up in that faith. Mr. Parks' father, James, was a native of Pennsylvania, coming to Ohio in 1800. He married Elizabeth Boyd, also a native of Pennsylvania. James Parks, the subject of this sketch, was born January 3, 1840, working on his father's farm in the summer season; he attended the common schools during the winter months. January 23, 1862, he was united in marriage to Miss Phebe Alkire. A short time after his marriage he left his bride and gave his services to his country, then involved in the civil war. He enlisted for three years in Company B, One Hundred and Twenty-sixth regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, fighting in their ranks until he was badly wounded in the battle of the Wilderness, May 6, 1863. He was honorably discharged from the hospital March 16, 1865. Returning from the war he entered the mercantile trade at Belmont Ridge. Continuing in this for some time he bought a farm and engaged in farming. James H., William H., Emma J., Sarah E., Mary P., Charles H. and Anna B., are the issue of his marriage. The mother died December 4, 1880, much beloved and mourned by all who knew her as a friend. For his second wife Mr. Parks chose Sarah Fisher, daughter of Samuel and Eve Fisher. This union has been blessed by the birth of one child, Olive R., born July 23, 1884. Mr. and Mrs. Parks are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which Mr. Parks has been a class-leader for fifteen years. He is also a member of G. A. R., post No. 315, and both he and his wife are very highly thought of in the community.