J. W. Brooker

BROOKER, ELLIS, WILBER

Posted By: Peter Gausmann (email)
Date: 1/16/2010 at 18:07:46

J. W. BROOKER

J. W. Brooker, residing on section 17, Ellington township, is a worthy representative of the agricultural interests of Hancock county and is a business man of exceptional ability. A native of Illinois, he was born in Livingston county, August 4, 1862, and is a son of Thomas and Lucinda (Wilber) Brooker, of whom extended mention is made in the sketch of F. J. Brooker on another page of this volume. In the county of his nativity our subject grew to manhood with the usual educational advantages of the country boy and on the llth of August, 1886, was united in marriage to Miss Ida A. Ellis, also a native of Livingston county, Illinois.

In March, 1887, Mr. Brooker brought his wife to Iowa and after residing for one year in Ida county removed to Winnebago county in 1888, locating on the farm in Linden township now owned by his brother Fred but at that time belonging to his father. Two years later, in 1890, he purchased the northwest quarter of section 6, Madison township, Hancock county, and the east half of the northeast quarter of section 1, Crystal township, paying for the same two thousand dollars and selling it two years later for five thousand dollars. He next bought eighty acres in Mount Valley township, Winnebago county, but did not locate thereon, and in September, 1892, purchased one hundred and thirty-five acres of his present farm in Ellington township, Hancock county, for which he paid twenty-five dollars per acre. At the time of the financial panic during President Cleveland's administration was laid the cornerstone of his success. Cattle could then be bought at one's own price and corn was selling at eight cents per bushel. Mr. Brooker took advantage of these conditions, his credit being good at the banks, and he bought cattle as low as two dollars per hundred and calves at five dollars per head. Cattle which he purchased at two and two dollars and a half per hundred were fed on eight to twelve cent corn and marketed at four dollars and a half per hundred. He bought everything offered for sale and sold at a profit what he could not feed. He has added to his home farm until it now comprises three hundred and fifty acres of some of the most fertile land in Hancock county and lie also owns sixty-four acres adjoining the corporate limits of Forest City and a farm of one hundred and twenty acres on sections 15 and 16, Ellington township. Mr. Brooker now makes a specialty of breeding registered Aberdeen Angus cattle, having been building up his herd since 1909, and Poland China hogs. He has nothing but registered stock on his place and has made a reputation as a breeder.

To Mr. and Mrs. Brooker have been born three children, of whom two are living: Myrtle M., at home with her parents; and Jay E., who is located on his father's farm adjoining Forest City. Mr. and Mrs. Brooker are faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church and take an active part in its work. For several years Mr. Brooker served as superintendent of the Sunday school and has also been president of the Epworth League. In politics he is an ardent republican and for four years served as chairman of the board of township trustees. He was one of the prime movers in the organizing of the Farmers Mutual Switch Board Company of Forest City, which installed the farmers' telephone system, now operating more than a thousand telephones. Mr. Brooker was also one of the organizers of the Farmers Elevator Company of Forest City and is one of the prominent men of affairs in Hancock county, being preeminently public-spirited and progressive. He never Withholds his support from any enterprise which he believes will prove of public benefit and in business affairs usually carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.

Source: History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol. II. Pioneer Publishing Company (Chicago), 1917. pp. 442-443.