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Charles M. Parks died at his home in Tarboro, N. C., February 28, 1922, in the eighty-first year of his age. He was born and reared in Hillsboro, N. C., and in that town, in April, 1861, he enlisted in Company G (Orange Guards), 27th North Carolina Infantry, Cook's Brigade, and served throughout the war in that command, surrendering at Appomattox. He was captured after the battle of South Mountain, but was released soon after with the hospital corps of his command, with which he was serving when captured.

The following is an extract from "An Appreciation," written by his brother-in-law, Rev. N. D. H. Wilson, and published in the Raleigh News and Observer:

"His active life was spent in general merchandise in Hillsboro. The march of progress has touched to new life that historic place, but at that time it was famed for its quietness.

"But by skill, wisdom, cordiality, and integrity, he built up there a business which few of our critics could at that time surpass. 'Charlie Parks' was known far and wide and was a great man to a host of customers, who were all his personal friends. More recently he has not been engaged in active business. After his last marriage he bought the old Stanton homestead near Tarboro and has lived there or in Tarboro ever since. He served loyally in the War between the States and delighted to the last to meet with the boys of 1861-65.

"Many years ago he connected himself with the Methodist Church and was, I believe, faithful to the end. The world is poorer for the passing of such a man from our midst. They were great men, those boys who came back from the brave battles of that awful time, defeated , but not dismayed, who bared their arms and, undaunted, went to work and built out of desolation a strong and prosperous State. They are passing-a few more days and the last of them will be gone. But he may well pause on our haste to lay forget-me-nots on their graves, to learn well the lessons of their heoric lives, and to thank God that such as they have lived, and that we are the heirs of their labors. Worthy to stand in the front ranks of this illustrious line was my brother and friend, the friend of all who knew him, Charles M. Parks."