Thomas F. Brooks,  Lafourche Parish, Louisiana 
Submitted by Mike Miller

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 Thomas F. Brooks ,  Lafourche Parish, Louisiana 
     Thomas Frank1in Brooks, deceased, was a resident of Houma from 1855
to his death October 24, 1889.  He was born in the town of Henniker, New
Hampshire, in 1830.  His parents, Dr. Pascal P. and Elmira (Adams)
Brooks, were also natives of the "Granite state" and his grandfather,
Dr. Thomas Brooks passed his life there.  Dr. Pascal Brooks was born in
1802, studied medicine in the colleges of Vermont and New York,
practiced medicine in New Hampshire for a quarter of a century, and then
established himself in New York state, where he died in 1866.  The
correspondent of the "Picayune," writing on the death of T. P. Brooks,
says:  "He was first known as the urbane clerk in Frizzell's drug store,
where by close attention to business be made many friends and soon
became a proprietor o
f the establishment.  The Houma drug store, now
owned by Dr. Goux, was built by him, where for several years he did a
fine business.  At his store in the good old times gone by could be seen
a Cage, a Minor, a McCollam, a Bisland, a Butler, a Gueno, a Connelly, a
Pelton, and a Shaffer, all his friends, many of whom went long before
him.  Selling out the drug business he engaged in the dry goods trade in
a building that used to stand where the Bazet hotel now stands.  In the
year 1859 he married Miss L. H. Shaffer, eldest daughter of the late W.
A. Shaffer.  Not long afterward, the War between the states was
declared, and when the manhood and chivalry of the South were going to
the front Brooks was found enlisted as a private soldier in Capt. J. J.
Shaffer's company, afterward known as Company F, of the Twenty-sixth
Louisiana regiment.  He was placed in one of the most responsible
positions, that of regimental druggist, and was always at his post,
serving the sick or wounded, whether in camp or on the field of battle.
After the war he started out as a clerk for Lieutenant Perry, but Mr.
Thomas J. Shaffer bought out Lieutenant Perry, when he, Mr. Brooks and
Charlie Tennent, another of the old "landmarks," who has crossed over
the river long ago, became partners, which partnership lasted a year,
when Mr. Shaffer withdrew, and the 
firm was known as Brooks & Tennent.
This was the most popular and thrifty firm in Houma for several years,
until from causes over which they had no control they went into
liquidation.  Not being able to make collections, they of course were
involved to a large amount in New Orleans.  Contrary to advice, Mr.
Brooks refused to take advantage of the bankrupt act, and declared he
would pay all he owed.  With undaunted courage he rented the La Carpe
plantation on Grand Calliou and for several years he engaged in sugar
planting, in which he was successful enough to enable him to pay up his
old debts.  After this be engaged in what is known as the Bull Run
plantation, on Bayou Chackahoula; but again bad luck followed him in the
shape of a terrible overflow.  Almost discouraged, he returned to Houma
somewhat despondent; but cheered on and aided by his noble and self
sacrificing wife, he next became owner of the old Perche place on Bayou
Black, now known as "Belle Farm," which for the four years ending
October 24. 1889, he made bloom and flourish like a garden returning
rich harvests.
   
 From Biographical and Historical Memoires of Louisiana, volume 2, p.
320. 
Submitted by Mike Miller