Brooks, Cynthia Jane Buck – 1829-1907

BROOKS, BUCK, CARLON, MATHERS

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 8/21/2017 at 17:51:50

Death of Mrs. Alonzo Brooks
After a long and painful sickness, Mrs. Alonzo Brooks died last Friday afternoon at the home of her daughter Mrs. W. V. Carlon. For over four years she had suffered from a cancer, and death dame as a merciful relief. The funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at two o’clock in the church at Irvington where the deceased lived for so many years. Rev. Porterfield conducted the exercises.
Cynthia J. Buck was born at Farmington, N.Y., May 26, 1829 and lived there during her girlhood. Later her parents moved to Ridgeway in the same state and there she was married January 26, 1851 to Alonzo Brooks. That same year they came to Wisconsin and lived there seventeen years, first near Sun Prairie and afterwards at Plattsville. In 1868 they came to this county to live on their farm five miles east of Algona. Here they lived for many years before finally making their home at Irvington. Mrs. Brooks was the mother of thirteen children, six of whom died while very young, and Mrs. Rose Brooks Mathers, seven years ago. Those living are Chester of Buffalo, N.Y., Rollin of Medina, N.Y., George of Seattle, Wash., Charley of Farmington, Minn., Will of Irvington and Mrs. W. V. Carlon of this place.
Mrs. Brooks was a plain, hardworking woman and tolled incessantly to help support her large family while they were growing to maturity. She was a good neighbor, and made any friends in the communities where she lived. Her loss is mourned by a large number of citizens.
Source: Algona Advance, Thursday, October 10, 1907

Mrs. Alonzo Brooks Dies
Passing of Early Settler Friday After Year of Suffering
Mother of Thirteen Children, Six of Whom Survive Her With Her Husband at Eighty-Four
Mrs. Alonzo Brooks died on Friday last at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Wm. Carlon, in the Seventy-ninth year of her age. She had been suffering for four years from cancer of the breast and had been reduced from robust health and form to almost a skeleton. The funeral services were held in the Irvington church Sunday afternoon, the remains being followed from the daughter’s home by a long procession. Rev. J. F Porterfield conducted the service and read the following obituary sketch: Cynthia Jane Buck was born at Farmington, New York, May 26, 1829, of English decent. She lived in New York until a year after her marriage to Alonzo Brooks, which took place January 6, 1856. From New York Mr. and Mrs. Brooks moved to Sun Prairie, Dane county, Wisconsin. Here for a number of years she lived and passed through the joys and sorrows that come to mothers rearing their little families. At this place three little ones died, Frank, Eugene and Edwin. From Sun Prairie the family removed to Plattsville, Grant county, Wisconsin, where they lived until June 1868, when they moved to this county. The family consisted of thirteen children, six of whom are now living, Chester and Rollin in New York, George in Washington, Charley in Minnesota and Wilson and Estella residing here. During the last months of her illness she was with her one daughter in Algona. Her illness was a long and trying one and her courage and patience under the circumstances were marvelous. For more than three years she wished that the end might come. But those who know her best, know how truly she has lived up to this little poem, fund in the bible of the departed:
I know not what will befall me; God hangs a mist o’er my eyes, And thus each step of my onward path, He makes new scenes arise, And every joy he sends me Comes as a sweet surprise.
It may be he keeps waiting Till the coming of my feet, Some gift of such rare blessedness, Some joy so strangely sweet, That my lips shall only tremble With thanks they cannot speak.
So I go on not knowing; I would not if I might; I would rather walk in dark with God, Than go alone in the light. I would rather walk with Him by faith Than walk alone by sight.
My heart shrinks back from trials, Which the future may disclose; Yet I never had a sorrow But what the dear Lord chose. So I send the coming tears back With the whispered word “He knows”.
Mrs. Brooks is survived by her husband, now 84 years of age. The interment was in the Irvington cemetery. There were present at the funeral, from out of the county, young Joe Mathers of Emmet county, a grandson, and Miss Viola Glenn and Mrs. Buckels of Humboldt. Mrs. Brooks was laid to rest by the grave of her daughter, the late Mrs. Chas. Mathers.
Card of Thanks. – We wish to sincerely thank our friends for their many acts of kindness and sympathy shown us in our late bereavement; also for music and the beautiful floral tributes.
W. M. Brooks and family; Mrs. W. V. Carlon and family
Source: Upper Des Moines Republican; October 9, 1907