When the Civil War broke out, he was narrowly old enough to serve, so he volunteered for the Union Army. He began his service in the 1st Kentucky Infantry, but was transferred to the 3rd Kentucky Infantry, Company K. In September 1863, his regiment fought in the Battle of Chickamauga, during which James was shot in the thighs. When the Confederates gained victory, they captured James but paroled him. He returned to service in time for the Atlanta Campaign, only to be wounded again, this time in the side at the Battle of Peachtree Creek.
Following the war, he courted Matilda Randall, daughter of prominent local preacher Robert Randall, whose hand he took in marriage on January 9, 1868. This union produced 12 children: Nancy Ellen, Mary Martha, Malachi, Sarah Elizabeth, Robert Elick, Jesse Payton, Johnie Simpson, James Randall, George Wesley, Armeldia, Lucy Arizona "Zonia," and Alfred.
He remained in Pulaski County for most of the rest of his life, working as a farmer. He spent some time in Oklahoma following his wife's death. He died in Somerset, and was buried at the Randall Chapel. He was a Methodist.
Parkey Ridge in Pulaski County, Kentucky is named for him.
When the Civil War broke out, he was narrowly old enough to serve, so he volunteered for the Union Army. He began his service in the 1st Kentucky Infantry, but was transferred to the 3rd Kentucky Infantry, Company K. In September 1863, his regiment fought in the Battle of Chickamauga, during which James was shot in the thighs. When the Confederates gained victory, they captured James but paroled him. He returned to service in time for the Atlanta Campaign, only to be wounded again, this time in the side at the Battle of Peachtree Creek.
Following the war, he courted Matilda Randall, daughter of prominent local preacher Robert Randall, whose hand he took in marriage on January 9, 1868. This union produced 12 children: Nancy Ellen, Mary Martha, Malachi, Sarah Elizabeth, Robert Elick, Jesse Payton, Johnie Simpson, James Randall, George Wesley, Armeldia, Lucy Arizona "Zonia," and Alfred.
He remained in Pulaski County for most of the rest of his life, working as a farmer. He spent some time in Oklahoma following his wife's death. He died in Somerset, and was buried at the Randall Chapel. He was a Methodist.
Parkey Ridge in Pulaski County, Kentucky is named for him.
Inscription
CO K, 3rd REG. KY INF Volunteers
Gone but not forgotten
Gravesite Details
The stone was recently (as of 2015) broken in half by a machine that was intended to help with a new burial.
Family Members
-
![]()
Nancy Ellen Parkey Adams
1869–1958
-
![]()
Mary Martha Parkey Whitaker
1870–1954
-
![]()
Malachi Parkey
1872–1917
-
![]()
Robert Elick Parkey
1876–1912
-
![]()
Jessie Payton "Pate" Parkey
1878–1920
-
![]()
Johnie Parkey
1879–1881
-
![]()
James Randall Parkey
1881–1963
-
![]()
George Parkey
1884–1887
-
![]()
Armelda Parkey Bullock
1886–1966
-
![]()
Lucy Arizonia "Zonia" Parkey Russell
1889–1963
-
![]()
PFC Alfred Parkey
1892–1924
