Denver, History of Colorado, BIOS: BROOKS, George W. (published 1918)
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"History of Colorado", edited by Wilbur Fisk Stone, published by The S. J. 
Clarke Publishing Co. (1918)  Vol. II

p. 406-408



GEORGE W. BROOKS.

	"A gentleman with whom it was an honor to be acquainted, just, 
courteous, generous and considerate," George W. Brooks lives in the 
memory of his many friends as a kind and noble man, ever thoughtful of 
the welfare of others, and well may
those who knew him apply to him the words of Shakespeare:
	

	"He was a man; take him for all in all;
	"We shall not look upon his like again."

	He figured for many years as a prominent representative of the 
business interests of Denver, being secretary and general manager of 
the Smith-Brooks Printing Company. His life covered the intervening 
years between the 24th of July, 1857, when he was born at Newark, New 
Jersey, and the 13th of May, 1911, when he passed away in San Die406-
408ifornia, at the age of fifty-three. He was a son of John Powell 
Brooks, a native of Birmingham, England, who in 1842 came to the United 
States and took up his abode in Newark, New Jersey, with his brother 
and sister. He was at that time a lad of eleven years and in 1856 he 
wedded Eliza Ann Lawrence, of Paterson, New Jersey, who passed away in 
1859, when their son George was but two years of age. The father 
afterward married Emma Hobbis, also a native of Birmingham, England, 
and they became parents of four children. The father died in 1893, 
while his second wife passed away in 1909.

	During his youthful days, spent in Newark, New Jersey, George W. 
Brooks attended the public schools and the Heightstown Academy. At the 
age of eight years he established a newspaper route, sometimes carrying 
papers both morning and evening, and thus he was continuously earning 
money during his school days. When a lad of fourteen his textbooks were 
put aside and he entered upon an apprenticeship at the printing trade 
in the office of Lawrence Hardham in Newark. He continued in his native 
city until 1880, when at the age of twenty-three years he started for 
the west with Denver as his destination. Soon after his arrival he 
secured a position in the office of the Denver Tribune, at that time 
the leading paper west of the Mississippi river, and while thus engaged 
became acquainted with Eugene Field and other members of the group of 
distinguished young writers who were then making their initial step 
toward fame. It was during that period that Mr. Brooks also became 
acquainted with Orville L. Smith, with whom he afterward entered into 
partnership. He remained with the Tribune for four years as printer and 
as circulator, and when the Tribune was consolidated with the 
Republican in 1884, Mr. Brooks turned his attention to other interests, 
becoming identified with his father-in-law, E. J. Warner, in cattle 
raising in Montrose county, Colorado,-an enterprise that soon afterward 
became unprofitable owing to the steady decline in the cattle market. 
Various business ventures afterward claimed his attention, including 
the carrying of mail on horseback over a forty-mile route. In the 
spring of 1887 Mr. Brooks again became a resident of Denver and resumed 
work at the printing trade until he found opportunity to engage in 
business on his own account. In February, 1890, he purchased the 
interest of the junior partner in the firm of Smith & Ferl, then 
conducting a small job printing plant in Denver, and thus was organized 
the Smith-Brooks Printing Company, under which name the business was 
incorporated. From that time forward their patronage steadily increased 
and demanded a removal from their old quarters at No. 1849 Arapahoe 
street that they might secure a more commodious building. Removal after 
removal followed owing to the continued growth of their trade and in 
February, 1902, the firm secured spacious quarters at Nos. 1733 to 1747 
California street, and thus from the smallest of beginnings there grew 
a great industrial plant of paramount importance to the commercial 
interests of the state. In this connection a contemporary writer said: 
"The overshadowing ambition of Mr. Brooks' life was the building up of 
a great printing plant-great in its volume of business, in the quality 
of its work, in the completeness and excellence of its mechanical 
equipment; and great as a force in the community by its practical 
demonstration of what may be accomplished in the industrial world 
through the harmonious relations of employer and employed. To the 
realization of this ideal he devoted his best energies; to the notable 
degree of success that attended his efforts he undoubtedly owed some of 
the happiest moments in his life. The firm of Smith-Brooks today is one 
of the largest and best known printing concerns in the west. Its staff 
of employes numbers about two hundred and fifty. Its equipment 
throughout the various departments is thoroughly up-to-date, no expense 
having been spared to furnish it with the latest and best machinery and 
mechanical devices known to the trade; and the high standard of 
excellence attained in all its output has never been questioned. Among 
the factors contributing to this result, three are of prime importance. 
Without doubt, to the personal initiative of Mr. Brooks himself-his 
unflagging enthusiasm, his aggressive idealism and broad-gauged 
policies, were in no mean measure due the rapid growth and solid 
soundness of his firm. But another element of equal value was the 
singularly happy and congenial relations existing between him and his 
partner, Mr. Smith-a perfect cooperation conditioned alike by business 
qualities and individual characteristics, each, as it were, in his 
tastes and special capabilities supplementing the other, to the 
attainment of perfect harmony in plans and methods. But no sketch, 
however brief, of Mr. Brooks' life and character would be complete 
without a mention of his relations with his employes. This was one of 
the outstanding features in the policy and management of his firm. The 
noble humaneness of the man, combined with his farsighted business 
sagacity, was instrumental in creating that atmosphere of mutual 
goodwill and conscious identity of interests essential to the 
attainment of the best results, but which is so often lacking in modern 
industrialism. 'Labor difficulties' were absolutely unknown in the 
office of Smith-Brooks. No employer has ever been more truly solicitous 
for the welfare of his workers, none more deservedly popular." At his 
death many who had long been in his employ bore testimony to his 
character and their regard for him. One of these said: "A man respected 
and beloved for his many sterling qualities; broad-minded and just, his 
kindly consideration and liberality appealed to the best in those with 
whom he came in contact." Another termed him: "A man among men; highly 
respected by everyone that knew him; toiling for the welfare and 
pleasure of his employes." Others spoke of him as "just, plain and 
resolute ... a genuine American gentleman." He was termed "a friend and 
benefactor to the wageearner .... in every way worthy of love and 
respect; one who was every ready to assist by a kind word or act, and 
whose sterling qualities were recognized by all with whom he came in 
contact."

	A happy and harmonious home life came to Mr. Brooks In his 
marriage in 1882 to Miss Sannie Warner, daughter of E. J. Warner, who 
had removed from Ohio to Denver in 1879. They became the parents of 
four children: Mrs. Edna Swift, John P. and Edwin Warner, all residents 
of Denver; and a daughter, Lyda, who died in 1894, at the age of three 
years.

	Mr. Brooks was a great lover of music and possessed a fine 
baritone voice. He was deeply interested in the Warren Memorial M. E. 
church, to the support of which he liberally and cheerfully gave-
responsive to its every necessity or demand. He belonged to many clubs 
and lodges and few of Denver's men of affairs had a wider circle of 
friends and acquaintances. He was never an active worker in political 
affairs, although keenly interested in everything that pertained to the 
welfare of city, commonwealth and country, and upon all vital questions 
he maintained the attitude of a progressive and public-spirited 
citizen. Society, as it is generally known, had no attraction for him, 
but he held friendship inviolable and he found his greatest happiness 
at his own fireside in the midst of his family, counting no effort or 
sacrifice on his part too great if it would enhance the welfare or 
promote the comfort of his wife and children. He was ever unselfish, 
thoughtful of the welfare of others, optimistic, of cheerful demeanor 
and genial disposition and, above all, a genuine American gentleman. 
Perhaps no better testimonial of his worth and character can be found 
than in the words of one of his associates, who wrote: "We have lost - 
a friend. He was dear to all of us because he was fair with all of us 
and just with all of us. We want his memory to live because of the good 
it can do. He understood humanity and he believed in humanity.. He 
sought Its better side and encouraged it with the warm smile of his 
faith. He measured every man and every woman, however old or however 
young, by practical standards, expecting of them neither more than was 
natural nor less than was right. He was kind without being patronizing; 
and he was dominant without being officious. He was our general and our 
leader, but he wore no panoply and rode no horse-he needed none. The 
tribunal of his personal judgment he reserved for large affairs, 
seeking to encourage harmony by holding aloof from petty discords. The 
genial personality that contributed so largely to his success we know 
to have been spontaneous and sincere-the prompting of a heart that 
stored nothing but kindness and a soul that hoped nothing but 
happiness. The twinkle in his eye was born of sheer good humor, and the 
cordiality of his smile was unforced and unaffected. He was genuine; he 
was candid; he was square. Those of us who knew him longest loved him 
most. The changing years and the changing fortunes made no changes in 
the man. We worked together with a single aim, all individualities 
submerged in the mutual purpose. He was a man so great that his 
greatness needed no asserting. He was a man so wise that he could 
afford to seek advice. He was a man so strong that he did not hesitate 
to put reliance in the strength of other men. He was a man so kindly 
human, so broadly sympathetic, so freely impartial in his estimates of 
other men, that we knew he understood us-each of us-for what we really 
were, and wanted us to believe him only what he really was. When there 
came to us that message of death, the blow was personal to each; each 
of us said: 'I have lost a friend-my friend.' A higher tribute than 
'friend' we cannot give, because a higher title we do not know. He was 
to us all that an employer could be or should be; he was not only the 
material fact, but our mental ideal. His success was wrought without 
imposition, without injustice_ without sacrifice of those humaner 
impulses that make men noble. He leaves us a memory in which there is 
no rancor and no bitterness. He leaves the world better than he found 
it."