My Genealogy Hound

William J. Parks, a leading stock farmer of Franklin County, was born in Greene County, Ala., December 3, 1829, and is a son of James R. and Charity (Lewis) Parks, natives of South Carolina. James R. Parks, who was born in 1789, was a wheel-wright by trade, and after his marriage located in Georgia, whence after a few years he removed to Alabama, where he was an extensive farmer and large slave-holder; he was a stanch Democrat politically, a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and died in Carroll Parish, La., in 1843, where he had located some years before. Mrs. Charity Parks was born in Chester District, S. C., in 1790, and was the mother of five children, three of whom now live, viz.: Elizabeth S. Edwards, a widow; William P. and Wyman A. Those deceased are Susan and Robert. After the death of her husband Mrs. Parks went to Louisiana, and in 1860 went to Little River County, Ark., where she died the same year, deeply mourned by those who knew her but to love her. In 1849 William J. Parks married Miss D. Amanda House, who was born in Alabama, January 9, 1830, and is a daughter of Rev. W. J. House, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, who was a prominent preacher, farmer and stock raiser, and represented the county in the Legislature several terms. Thirteen children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Parks, of whom eight are now living, viz.: Mary E., James D., attorney of Charleston; Susannah, Louisa, widow of F. M. Carden; Henry W., Melissa, A. Olivia and Anna. The mother died in October, 1884. In 1860 William P. Parks and family located on the farm where he has since lived, with the exception of two years spent in the war. In 1862 he organized a company of men for the Confederate army, and served under Gen. Fagan, but ill health compelled him to abandon service, and he returned to his home; he subsequently recruited and served until the close of the war, surrendering in Texas. In the spring of 1866 he returned to his home in Franklin County, where he owns 325 acres, and cultivates 100 acres. He is an enterprising and industrious man, and takes an active interest in all political and educational matters. He served as justice of the peace several terms. In politics he is a Democrat, and in religion he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He also belongs to the Du Val Chapter of the A. F. & A. M., at Charleston.