[4] Soon after his graduation, in 1840,[5] Parks moved to Springfield, Illinois, where he taught school for six years,[2][3] received an M.A.

[7][5] Parks attended both the 1856 and 1860 Republican National Conventions,[5] and was instrumental in having Lincoln nominated for the presidency,[4] primarily by canvassing his native state of Vermont.

[5] On March 6, 1863, President Lincoln nominated him as one of the first associate justices of the newly-established Idaho Territorial Supreme Court, and he was confirmed by the senate four days later.

[5] On December 15, 1877, President Rutherford B. Hayes nominated Parks as Associate Justice of the New Mexico Territorial Supreme Court, and he was confirmed by the senate on January 22, 1882.

[10] At Parks's request, President Chester A. Arthur nominated him as Associate Justice of the Wyoming Territorial Supreme Court on January 6, 1882, and he was confirmed by the senate five days later.