Bio: Thomas W. Brooks, Claiborne Parish, LA
Source:  Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana
The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago & Nashville, 1890
Submitted for the LAGenWeb Archives by: Gwen Moran-Hernandez, Jan. 2000


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Thomas W. Brooks is a merchant of Old Athens, La., and a short time since was
so fortunate at to secure the agency of the celebrated Ames Engines and
Boilers, Eagle Gins, Boss Press, Brennan & Co.'s saw mills, Bradford
corn-mills, Jones' Scales, Perkins' shingle machinery, wood-working machinery,
cane-mills and evaporators.  He also deals in the Melchior gin saw cleaners,
which are warranted to gin wet cotton in any condition, together with a full
line of machinery, saws, shafting, pulley, belting, etc.  Polite and prompt
attention is given to all customers, and all goods are sold at reasonable
rates.  Mr. Brooks was born in Talbot County, Ga., February 16, 1846, to Allen
Brooks, a native of Georgia, who was married there to Miss Maria Bullock.  Mr.
Brooks was a farmer of his native State until his death, which occurred about
1855, after having served in one of the early Indian wars.  Thomas W. Brooks
was reared in Talbot and Stewart Counties, and after the death of his father,
moved to town with his mother, where he received a thorough English education,
which has thoroughly fitted him for the practical life he has lead.  In 1861,
he came to Louisiana, and from the parish of Claiborne enlisted in the Fourth
Louisiana Cavalry, Company F, in 1863, serving until the close of the war and
participating in some smart skirmishes.  He then returned here and after
following farming until 1867, be began blacksmithing and repairing, following
this calling up to 1889, at Old Athens.  In October of that year he opened his
present establishment and carries a very complete line of shelf and heavy
groceries besides the stock of goods above mentioned, and is doing a good
business as he fully deserves to do.  He was married here on February 28,
1866, to Miss Victoria Bridges, who was born and reared in Georgia, a daughter
of B. N. Bridges, and by her he is the father of seven children: Ida (wife of
E. E. Monzingo), Barney, Zadie (wife of W. F. Fincher), Elma, Virgil V., Judge
Shepherd and Prentiss.  Mr. Brooks was elected to the position of justice of
the peace in April, 1887, a position he held for four years; socially is a
member of the A. F. & A. M., and he and his wife are members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church.

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