Biography of A. W. W. Brooks, Randolph Co, AR *********************************************************** Submitted by: Bridgette Cohen Date: 1998 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************************** SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northeast Arkansas Copyrighted and Published 1889 by Goodspeed Publishing Company A. W. W. Brooks, one of the most extensive laud owners and cotton growers of Randolph County, was born in Davidson County, Tenn., in the year 1832. His parents were Richard P. and Mary N. Brooks, the former a prominent citizen of that portion of Tennessee, and for several years sheriff of Jackson County. Richard P. Brooks was a member of the legislature for a great many years, and at the age of seventy-four was elected a "floater," or in other words, a representative from more than one county. He died at the age of seventy-five years, after an honorable and brilliant career. His son, A. W. W. Brooks, was reared and received his education in Jackson County, Tenn. He seemed to be imbued with the spirit that characterized his father, and followed closely in his footsteps early in life. When war was announced between the North and South, he occupied the clerkship of Jackson County circuit court, and at the outset of the National excitement he was the first to organize a company in Jackson County. He held the rank of lieutenant, and, when the conscript act was enforced, returned to that county and organized another company, of which he was lieutenant. During an engagement with an overwhelming force the captain was killed and the company disorganized, many of the men being captured. Lieut. Brooks was among the prisoners, and after fifteen months' confinement he returned and collected the shattered fragments of his company, of which he was the captain until the spring of 1865, the time of the surrender. At the close of the war he returned to Jackson County, in the same State, like many a chivalrous spirit who had cast his fortune with the Confederacy-penniless. He soon started, however, at the task of regaining at least a portion of what he had lost, and, leaving the old home behind him, traveled further west. He settled in Lawrence County, Ark., and remained there two years, but thinking that Randolph County would be a more desirable location, he moved to that place. On his arrival there, all his worldly possessions consisted of a pair of steers and a very meager outfit, but if his riches were small his heart was large, and accompanied by a spirit too proud to be cast down by the prospects before him. In the first year of his arrival he succeeded in getting some one to rent him a portion of land, upon which he began farming, paying them with a portion of the crop he raised. He finally became the owner of a piece of land, which his ingenuity and foresight put him in possession of, and from that time to the present he has been successful in his financial enterprises. His wealth has grown to massive proportions, and at one time he was the owner of 8,000 acres of land, but donated some 4,000 acres to his children. Mr. Brooks is widely known for his shrewdness in commercial transactions, and many people, not thoroughly acquainted with him, would perhaps think he was a man of very stern principles, but to see him once in the family circle away from the cares and perplexities of his busy life, that impression would be quickly dispelled. He is generous, almost to a fault; ready to give aid wherever it is really needed, and is a man whose word will carry weight whenever it comes from his mouth. He has never practiced as a regular attorney, but his knowledge of the law is considerable, and that fact alone has given him a greater advantage than the average man, especially in some of his extensive land deals. Like almost all other successful and prominent men, Mr. Brooks' accumulation of great wealth has gained for him many enemies, people who started with him in the race through life and were outstripped long before the three-quarter stretch was reached; but his friends, and their name is legion, knowing how to appreciate the true man, are filled with admiration at his wonderful success. Mr. Brooks was first married in 1855, in the State of Tennessee, to Miss Julia J. Richmond. The result of this happy union was four children: Ellen, wife of J. P. Rogers; William P. Brooks, whose sketch immediately follows this one; Alice, widow of Robert Surridge; and Maggie, wife of David Feneter. This, his first wife, and the companion of his earlier manhood, after having proven herself a kindly and faithful wife and worthy mother, was called to eternity and away from her family in 1874. Some years after this Mr. Brooks contracted a second marriage with Mrs. McIlroy, a charming widow of Randolph County, [p.380] by whom he has had one child, Fannie A. This last marriage, unlike most second marriages, was a happy one. Whether this was due to the qualities of the lady or to the tact of Mr. Brooks in turning all things to good account, is a matter of conjecture, but judging from results, each one must be entitled to an equal amount of credit. Mrs. Brooks was almost the equal of her husband in business transactions, and during her lifetime was his only counselor. This faithful woman has also been called away by the hand of death.