BROOKS, William - 1914

BROOKS, FEAY, FRY

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 7/10/2009 at 19:15:36

HISTORY OF
Cherokee County
IOWA
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1914
by Thomas McCulla

WILLIAM BROOKS.

With the development of Cherokee county along agricultural lines William Brooks was closely associated for a number of years. Throughout the entire period of his manhood he was a resident of Iowa, while his minority was spent in his native state of Pennsylvania. His birth occurred in Fayette county, July 18, 1842, his parents being Joseph and Charlotte Brooks. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, removed westward to Clayton county, Iowa, where he continued to till the soil until his lifes labors were ended in death. His wife had passed away in the Keystone state. In their family were five children: Elizabeth, now living in Pennsylvania; Mary, deceased: William, Julia and Daniel, who have also passed away.

In the schools of his native state William Brooks pursued his education and when twentyone, years of age came to the middle west, taking up his abode in Clayton county, Iowa, where he followed farming until 1871. He then removed to Cherokee county, settling on section 35, Tilden township. He purchased railroad land and carried on farming until his death which occurred on the 10th of February, 1882. Throughout the period of his residence in this county he became well known as an enterprising farmer and representative citizen, displaying many sterling traits of manhood that won for him the high regard of those with whom he came in contact.

On the 6th of December, 1868, Mr. Brooks was united in marriage to Mis? Elizabeth Feay, a daughter of Alexander and Christina (Fry) Feay, of Clayton county, Iowa, who were natives, however, of Virginia. The father made farming his life work and following his removal from the south settled in Clayton county, Iowa, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits until death called him. His wife also passed away there. They were members of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Feay gave his political support to the democratic party. Their daughter, Mrs. Brooks, was born in Clayton county, August 1, 1853, and pursued her education in the public schools of that locality.

She is a member of the Presbyterian church of Cherokee and is a lady of many sterling traits of character, which have gained for her the friendship and warm regard of those with whom she has been associated. By her marriage she became the mother of six children: Amady, living in Haxtum, Colorado; Henry J., who died in infancy; Elmer D., whose home is in Okaton, South Dakota; Melvin, a resident of Iroquois, South Dakota; Owen, who is living in Tilden town ship, and William G., whose home is at Roundup, Montana. There are also sixteen grandchildren. Amady.has four children: Raymond, Elmer, Geneva and Ivan. Elmer Brooks has a family of three: Shirley, Lillian and Marie. Melvin has six children: William, Mary, Dora, Muriel, Harold and Ruby V. Owen has two children, Irene and Walter, and William Brooks has a daughter, Gladys Eleanor.

In his political views Mr. Brooks was a democrat, believing that the principles of the party contained the best elements of good government. He filled the offices of township clerk and trustee. He belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he served as steward, and his fidelity to its teachings made him an earnest Christian man worthy the respect and friendship which were accorded him. He was faithful in matters of citizenship, loyal in friendship and devoted to his family, finding his greatest happiness in promoting the welfare of his wife and children.