Person Page - 427

     Nathan Brooks was born circa 1847 at Illinois.¹ He was the son of Benjamin Brooks and Deborah M. Hatfield.¹

     Sarah Amarilla Brooks was born in June 1854 at Ohio.¹ She married Joel Abbott Bird in 1873. Sarah Amarilla Brooks died in 1900 at Pratt Co., KS.

     Sarah Ann Brooks was born on 25 July 1836.¹ She was the daughter of Benjamin Brooks and Sarah Henton.

     Squire S. Brooks was born circa 1872 at Missouri.¹ He married Jenny (?).

     Starr Brooks was the son of Sarah Starr.

     Thomas Brooks was the son of Sarah Starr.

     Thomas Brooks was born circa 1862 at Pottawattamie Co. (probably), IA.¹ He was the son of James Elam Brooks and Lucy Heath.¹

     Thomas Richard Brooks was born circa 1842.¹ He was the son of Benjamin Brooks and Sarah Henton.

     Tryphena Margaret Brooks was born on 29 February 1860 at Moweaqua, Shelby Co., IL. She was the daughter of Josiah Wright Brooks and Martha Damarias Selby. Tryphena Margaret Brooks married James Gray Stewart on 9 March 1881 at Cass Co., IL. Tryphena Margaret Brooks married Martin Kitzmiller Duncan, son of Joseph Franklin Duncan and Susannah C. DeVault, circa 1903. Tryphena Margaret Brooks and Martin Kitzmiller Duncan were divorced between 1910 and 1927. Tryphena Margaret Brooks died on 31 March 1948 at Moweaqua, Shelby Co., IL, at age 88 OBITUARY - Find-A-Grave:

Tryphena Brooks, daughter of Josiah Wright Brooks, a native of Georgia, and Martha Damarias Selby, a native of Kentucky, was born February 29, 1860, on a farm near Moweaqua, Illinois. Her father and mother were members of the Moweaqua Methodist Church, to which they took their children and in which they took an active part.
Her father died when she was 14 years old, and she and her brothers and sisters early learned to take the responsibilities of the home in helping their mother to provide a living and care for the family. Tryphena loved housework, gardening, nursing, and millinery.
She married James Stewart, a native of Pennsylvania and a former soldier in the 76th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. They operated the Round Grove Farm, three miles east of Moweaqua, Illinois and to them was born four children, James Franklin, Malcolm Wayne, Eltha, and Charles Leslie. James died on February 3, 1895 and in 1899, she moved to Moweaqua. In 1903, she wed Martin Duncan, father of her daughter in-law Gwendolyn.
She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star of Moweaqua and of the Shelby County (Kuilka) chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Friendships in Moweaqua, Shelbyville, Saint Louis, and Urbana were important in her life.
For nearly a year in her failing health she lived with her daughter-in-law Gwendolin Stewart in Moweaqua and with her grandson and his wife, Wayne and Vera Stewart of Monticello. Her sickness was not accompanied with a great deal of pain and she was able to have lively conversation with her brothers and other family members to within a few hours of her death, which occurred March 31, 1948.
The immediate members of her family, Charles Leslie, her son, and family of Urbana, Illinois; Gwendolin Stewart, her daughter-in-law and her family of Moweaqua; Mrs. John Middlesworth, Alameda, California, sister; Barkley Brooks, a brother, Decatur; Stephen Brooks, a brother, Decatur; Charles Brooks, a brother, Stonington; Mrs. Alberta B. Latch, a niece, Decatur; Mrs. Joseph W. Franke, a niece; Shirley D. Body, a nephew, Bement; and their families will cherish her memory, along with her six grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.

     Violet Isabel Brooks was born on 15 November 1913 at Ohio. She was the daughter of Clarence Herbert Brooks and Glenna Madeline Gebhart. Violet Isabel Brooks married Wilbur Henry Snell, son of Harry Charles Snell and Emma W. Stallman, in December 1934 at Miami Co., OH. Violet Isabel Brooks and Wilbur Henry Snell were divorced before 1938. Violet Isabel Brooks died on 19 May 2004 at Vandalia, Montgomery Co., OH, at age 90. She was buried in May 2004 at Teegarden Congregational Christian Church Cemetery, Ansonia, Darke Co., OH, Findagrave #40410371.

     Virginia Brooks was born on 26 May 1920 at Sylvester City, Worth Co., GA.¹ She was the daughter of Willis Malcolm Brooks and Alma Josephine Cochran.¹ Virginia Brooks married John Lamborn Butler, son of Albert Edward Butler and Carolyn Lamborn, on 15 February 1943 at Nassau Co., FL, two sons. Virginia Brooks died on 26 January 2011 at Mecklenburg Co., NC, at age 90 per SSDI, last residence Rock Hill, SC. She was buried on 4 February 2011 at Mountain View Cemetery, Longmont, Boulder Co., CO, Find A Grave Memorial# 69088213.

     Wilbur Levi Brooks was born circa 1903 at Schenectady, Schenectady Co., NY. He was the son of William Brooks and Ada Dutcher. Wilbur Levi Brooks married Ophal Geneva Boling, daughter of Alonzo Harvey Boling and Maud Inez Smith, on 5 January 1929 at Olympia, Thurston Co., WA.

     William Brooks married Ada Dutcher.

     William Brooks was born on 20 September 1782 at Pennsylvania. He married Elizabeth Stitt on 15 July 1808 at Highland Co., OH. William Brooks died on 19 March 1866 at Van Buren, Keokuk Co., Iowa, at age 83.

     William Frank Brooks was born on 8 September 1865 at Pottawattamie Co. (probably), IA.¹ He was the son of James Elam Brooks and Lucy Heath.¹ William Frank Brooks died on 21 August 1877 at age 11.

     William James Brooks was born on 27 March 1860 at Maine per censuses and California death index. 1900 census listing for William and Lizzie Brooks appears to have been a "fiction fest" -- he deducted 9 years from his true age, and Lizzie added 10 to hers, thereby closing most of the 21-year gap in their ages. In 1920, 1930, and 1940, William reported his true age (59, 70, and 80, respectively).¹

He lived in 1892 at Mendocino Co., CA, age 27, per California voter registration record (ancestry.com.) He lived on 14 June 1900 at Ten Mile River, Mendocino Co., CA, brakeman (railroad), age 31, wife Lizzie E., children Claude J., 4, and Mamie S., 2.¹ He married Nora Rachel Gillmore, daughter of Ephriam Bradley Gillmore and Mary Emily Hunt, on 26 February 1909 at the home of her parents, Texas Co., OK, ceremony by Rev. K. McNier. William was first married to Elizabeth "Lizzie" Ella Croghan (1881-1902) on 29 AUG 1894 at Eureka, Humboldt County, California, and had a son Claude James Brooks (1896-1981) and a daughter Mamie "May" (1898-1979) who married Austin Taylor in 1917 and lived at Mill Valley. May later remarried to Alfred Gunnell.


unknown newspaper, May 1909:

Brooks-Gillmore Wedding

Married at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. W. J. Brooks and Miss Nora Gillmore, on Sunday, May 23, 1909 at 10:30 a.m.? ? Miss Nora Gillmore is well known in Texas county as an accomplished teacher and brilliant young lady.? ? She has taught several years in Oklahoma, and has just closed a successful term at Prairie Rose.? ? Miss Nora graduated at the Lamar High School, Lamar, Mo., and taught for a number of years in Barton county.

Her friends there together with numerous friends in Kansas City, (where she lived for several years) all join in wishing her a happy wedded life.

Mr. J. W. Brooks is an expert machinist and has a permanent position as master machinist at the round house at Fort Bragg, California.? ? He also has a fruit farm near town where they expect to live.

The house was appropriately arranged for a quiet home wedding, Rev. K. McNier officiating.

Those present were the family and a few immediate friends of the bride.

Dinner was served at 11:30 after which the groom and bride, with a number of young people were taken to Optima where they took the train starting for their home beyond the Rocky Mountains going by the way of Kansas City.? ? A number of the bride's friends from Gordon were at the depot to bid them good bye and to assist in the showering of rice which was so beautifully displayed as the train rolled into the depot.

All friends join in wishing them a safe and pleasant journey and a happy wedded life filled with joy and love.

A Friend.


NOTE: The 1900 Census shows William's occupation was a railroad brakeman and the 1910 Census shows he was a night watchman at the round house.?

William James Brooks lived on 20 April 1910 at Ten Mile River Twp., Mendocino Co., CA, night watchman at railroad roundhouse, 41, with wife Nora and children Claude, 14, and Mamie, 12.² He lived on 14 January 1920 at Ten Mile River Twp., Mendocino Co., CA, age 59, listed as married, but no wife present -- Nora was in Kansas City and indicated she was divorced, saw mill worker.³ He lived on 17 April 1930 at Ten Mile River Twp., Mendocino Co., CA, age 70, "widowed" (not true), laborer, odd jobs.⁴ He lived on 2 April 1940 at Ten Mile River Twp., Mendocino Co., CA, age 80, "widowed", farming.⁵ He died on 11 September 1951 at Mill Valley, Marin Co., CA, at age 91

Obituary -- Unknown newspaper; September 1951; (Findagrave.com):

Highway Victim's Funeral Tomorrow

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. tomorrow at the Cannair mortuary, Fort Bragg, for William J. Brooks, 91, of Mill Valley who was killed yesterday in a traffic accident on U. S. 101 near Alto wye.

Brooks died instantly when he walked into the side of a car driven by Mark L. Gerstle III, 32, 2015 Fifth avenue, San Rafael. Gerstle, a radio commentator in Oakland, was cleared of blame by highway patrolmen and was not held.

A native of main (sic), Brooks moved to Fort Bragg in 1900. He was a member of the Fort Bragg police force from 1919-30 and moved to Marin about three years ago. He lived at 27 Central avenue, Mill Valley.

He is survived by two sons, Claude J, Brooks, Los Angeles, and Harold J. Brooks, Midway Island; a daughter, Mrs. Albert A. Gunnell, Mill Valley; three grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Interment will be in Fort Bragg cemetery. Services will be under direction of Harry M. Williams mortuary, San Rafael.

He was buried in September 1951 at Rose Memorial Park Cemetery, Fort Bragg, Mendocino Co., CA, Findagrave #220833847.

     Willis Malcolm Brooks was born on 15 September 1880 at Baconton, Dougherty Co., GA.¹ He married Alma Josephine Cochran on 16 November 1904 at Albany, Dougherty Co., GA. Willis Malcolm Brooks died on 7 January 1974 at Fernandina Beach, Nassau Co., FL, at age 93.

     Wilma Brooks was born circa 1913 at Decatur Co. (probably), IA.¹ She was the daughter of Squire S. Brooks and Jenny (?)¹ Wilma Brooks married Jesse James Nicholson, son of James G. Nicholson and Lilly A. Tuller, on 5 November 1927 at Decatur Co., IA.

     Julia Ann Brosios was born on 7 March 1800 at Lancaster Co., PA.¹ She married John Gephart circa 1818 at Stettler Lutheran Church, Miami Twp., Montgomery Co., OH.¹ Julia Ann Brosios died on 14 July 1884 at Miami Twp., Montgomery Co., OH, at age 84.¹ She was buried in July 1884 at Stettler Lutheran Church Cemetery, Miami Twp., Montgomery Co., OH.¹

     Anna Brosius was born on 14 May 1870 at Washington Twp., Clark Co., MO.¹ She was the daughter of Septimus K. Brosius and Mary Lee Starr.¹ Anna Brosius married Frank W. Myers, son of Charles Henry Myers and Berilla Maggard, on 5 March 1889 at Scotland Co., MO. Anna Brosius lived on 8 June 1900 at Tobin Twp., Scotland Co., MO, farming.² She died on 28 February 1951 at Edina, Knox Co., MO, at age 80. She was buried in March 1951 at Greensburg Cemetery, Greensburg, Knox Co., MO, Findagrave #68908696.

     Benjamin Brosius was born on 16 October 1795 at Montgomery Co., PA. He married Phebe Booth. Benjamin Brosius died on 11 November 1869 at Stark Co., OH, at age 74. He was buried in November 1869 at Old Fairmount Cemetery, Stark Co., OH, Findagrave #8525344.

     Charles H. Brosius was born on 2 November 1871 at Lewis Co., MO. He was the son of Henry Martin Brosius and Jane Hilles Starr. Charles H. Brosius married Anna Gertrude Thompson, daughter of John B. Thompson and Laura Ester Burkhart, on 11 March 1901 at Kirksville, Adair Co., MO, no children. Charles H. Brosius died on 9 August 1957 at Kirksville, Adair Co., MO, at age 85. He was buried in August 1957 at La Belle Cemetery, La Belle, Lewis Co., MO, Findagrave #6967989.

     Henry Martin Brosius was born on 8 August 1828 at Lancaster Co., PA. He was the son of Benjamin Brosius and Phebe Booth. Henry Martin Brosius married Jane Hilles Starr, daughter of James Starr and Phoebe Hilles, on 20 March 1858 at Mahoning Co., OH.¹ Henry Martin Brosius died on 19 February 1920 at Deer Ridge, Lewis Co., MO, at age 91. He was buried in February 1920 at Deer Ridge Cemetery, Deer Ridge, Lewis Co., MO, Findagrave #7859189.

     Julia Ann Brosius was born circa 1800. She married John Gebhart, son of Johann Peter Gebhart and Catherine Schaeffer.¹

     Luella Belle Brosius was born on 31 August 1863 at Illinois.¹ She was the daughter of Septimus K. Brosius and Mary Lee Starr.¹ Luella Belle Brosius married Robert Bruce Myers, son of James Myers and Isabel Frances Short, on 3 January 1886 at Memphis, Scotland Co., MO. Luella Belle Brosius died on 13 May 1952 at Ravalli Co., MT, at age 88. She was buried in May 1952 at Corvallis Cemetery, Corvallis, Ravalli Co., MT, Findagrave #93086584.

     Phebe Ella Brosius was born on 2 March 1859 at Carroll Co., MO. She was the daughter of Henry Martin Brosius and Jane Hilles Starr. Phebe Ella Brosius married Silas Edward Baltzell, son of George Jacob Baltzell and Elizabeth Bryan, on 21 March 1878 at Lewis Co., MO. Phebe Ella Brosius died on 3 August 1893 at Carroll Co., MO, at age 34. She was buried in August 1893 at Deer Ridge Cemetery, Deer Ridge, Lewis Co., MO, Findagrave #7859022.

     Phoebe Ella Brosius was also known as Phoebe Ann. She was born on 27 August 1858 at Illinois.^2,1 She was the daughter of Septimus K. Brosius and Mary Lee Starr.¹ Phoebe Ella Brosius married Capt. Cyrus W. Borton, son of Daniel Borton Jr. and Mary Foughty, in 1866.

     Septimus K. Brosius was born on 27 March 1833 at Lancaster Co., PA.¹ He was the son of Benjamin Brosius and Phebe Booth.¹ Septimus K. Brosius married Mary Lee Starr, daughter of James Starr and Phoebe Hilles, on 20 March 1858 at Mahoning Co., OH. Septimus K. Brosius lived on 9 June 1870 at Washington Twp., Clark Co., MO, farming.² He lived on 2 June 1880 at Washington Twp., Clark Co., OH, farming.³ He died on 4 January 1914 at Memphis, Scotland Co., MO, at age 80

Biography -- (Findagrave.com):

"S. K. Brosius, one of the enterprising merchants of Knox County, is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in 1833, and is a son of Benjamin Brosius, a native of Pennsylvania, and born in 1791. He was of German descent, and came to the State of Ohio in 1837, where he engaged in farming until his death, which occurred in 1866. Phoebe (Boothe) Brosius, the mother of our subject, was also a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in 1794, and died in 1869. Our subject accompanied his parents to Ohio, and lived with them until he was twenty-four years old, when he came to Illinois, and farmed there until 1865. He then came to Clark County, Mo., where he remained until 1881, or until he came to Greensburg Township, Knox County, and engaged in the mercantile business, which he has successfully followed ever since. In 1858 our subject was united in marriage to Mary Starr, daughter of James and Phoebe (Hillis) Starr. This union of our subject and wife was blessed with three daughters, viz.: Emma P., Lula B. and Anna M. Our subject has nine living brothers, three of whom are younger than himself. He is a stanch Republican, but has never sought or held political office, preferring the quiet of his home life to that of political worry and trouble. He commands a good trade, and is one of the enterprising and substantial citizens of Greensburg Township."

History of Lewis, Clark, Knox and Scotland Counties Missouri, V.2 Biographical Appendix. Goodspeed Publishing, 1887, p. 1004.

He was buried in January 1914 at Greensburg Cemetery, Greensburg, Knox Co., MO, Findagrave #72279830.

     William Starr Brosius was born on 20 June 1865. He was the son of Henry Martin Brosius and Jane Hilles Starr. William Starr Brosius married Sarah Elizabeth Allen, daughter of Robert Martin Allen and Artie Sarah Roberts, in 1918. William Starr Brosius died on 19 February 1931 at age 65. He was buried in February 1931 at La Belle Cemetery, La Belle, Lewis Co., MO, Findagrave #6967987.

     William Starr Brosius Jr. was born on 23 October 1921 at Missouri. He was the son of William Starr Brosius and Sarah Elizabeth Allen. William Starr Brosius Jr. died on 16 May 1956 at Missouri at age 34. He was buried in May 1956 at La Belle Cemetery, La Belle, Lewis Co., MO, Findagrave #171125269.