William Wallace Brooks

BROOKS, WATSON, CONRAD, SMITH, BLAND, MONEY

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 11/10/2011 at 09:22:24

WILLIAM WALLACE BROOKS, named after the old Scotch chief, is classed among the intelligent, keen and thoroughly wide-awake farmers and stock-raisers of Grundy County, where he is contributing much to its material prosperity. He was born August 9, 1842, in Mt. Pleasant, now Farmer City, Ill., and is a son of Harrison and Dulcina (Watson) Brooks. His father, who was born in Vermont, became a pioneer of Ohio, and in 1837 took up his abode in Illinois, where he resided for seventeen years. At the end of that time, in 1854, he decided to try his fortunes in this western country, and with his family made the journey overland from Bloomington, locating on the farm which is the present property of our subject.

Mrs. Dulcina Brooks was born in Kentucky, and departed this life in her twenty-seventh year, in Farmer City, Ill. The father of our subject, who was born in the year 1813, died in Clarion County, this state, in 1885, aged seventy-two years. He followed the trade of a carpenter for some years, and being one of the earliest settlers of this section, erected the first frame house built in Clay Township, it being for John W. Conrad. Later in life, however, he became a farmer, and was so successful in this undertaking that he was enabled to retire ten or eleven years prior to his decease. In politics he was an old line Whig, and was very much respected by the older residents of the county.

William W. Brooks, of this sketch, was one in a family of four children, and remained on the home farm, assisting his father in its cultivation. At odd times he attended the district school, where his studious habits enabled him to acquire a fair education. April 5, 1865, he married Miss Jennie H. Smith, who was born September 28, 1842, in Johnson County, this state. She was the daughter of Samuel and Mary A. (Bland) Smith, the former of whom was born in Indiana, whence he removed to this state soon after his marriage. Mr. Smith took up his abode near Iowa City, where he followed farming, and later, when residing in Keokuk and Hardin Counties, followed that calling. At the present time he makes his home in Eldora, where he is living a retired life and enjoying the fruits of his early industry. Mr. Smith is a Democrat in politics, and has been the recipient of many of the township offices.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Brooks were born two children, one of whom died in infancy. Mary Gertrude, who was born November 18, 1867, is now the wife of Dr. G. C. Money, to whom she was married November 16, 1892. She received a fine education, being a graduate of Grinnell College. Doctor Money is one of the prominent dentists of Sioux Rapids, receiving his degree of D. D. S. at the Iowa University.

In politics, our subject is rather conservative, giving his support, however, to the Republican party, which he has often served in various township offices. Mr. and Mrs. Brooks are attendants of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Socially he is connected with Olivet Lodge No. 436, A. F. & A. M.

Source:
Portrait and Biographical Record
of Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, Iowa
1894