History of Bourbon, Scott, Harrison and Nicholas Counties, Kentucky, ed. by William Henry Perrin, O. L. Baskin & Co., Chicago, 1882. p. 774. [Nicholas County] [Lower Blue Licks Precinct] JAMES A. SPARKS, farmer, P. O. Blue Licks, was born in Nicholas County, Ky., May 12, 1847, to Charles and Mary A. (Barnett) Sparks. He was born in Nicholas County, Dec. 25, 1817, and is the present toll-gate keeper at Blue Licks, on Maysville and Lexington Pike. She was born in Bourbon County, Jan. 15, 1819. They have seven children, of whom James, the subject of this sketch, was the fifth. He obtained his education in the common schools of the county, and entered upon a farm life. He was married in Nicholas County, to Miss Martha J. Bowen, who was born July 1, 1848, to W. F. and E. J. Bowen. He was born Feb. 23, 1825; she, Jan. 9, 1823. By this marriage, Mr. Sparks has six children, viz: Jennie L., Charles D., Bettie F., Walter W., Lulie B. and Mattie R. Mr. Sparks is an energetic and enterprising man, and, socially, ranks high in the esteem of the community. He has served the people, since 1878, as Constable, and performed the duties of the office with zeal and integrity. Religiously, himself and family are connected with the Christian Church. He is also a member of the Masonic Fraternity at Blue Licks. In politics he is a Democrat. Sparks Barnett Bowen = Bourbon-KY http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/nicholas/sparks.ja.txt