DR. ROBERT P. BROOKS 
Union Parish, Louisiana

Submitted by Mike Miller 
prepared by Randy DeCuir



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->From Biographical and Historical Memoires of Louisiana, volume 2, pp. 319-320.
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Dr. Robert P. Brooks is a physician whose skill has won him a large practice,
and he is a man who stands high in the estimation of his fellow-citizens, for
in addition to being a leading medical practitioner he is a true gentleman in
every particular, and is a very liberal contributor to worthy enterprises. He
was born in Union county, Ark., October 25, 1854, the sixth of eight children
born to Dr. Samuel M. and Catherine V. (Frazier) Brooks, who were born in
Philadelphia, Penn., and Virginia, respectively. Dr. Samuel M. Brooks grew to
manhood in his native state and graduated from the Jefferson Medical college
of Philadelphia, soon after which he located in Independence, Ma., where he
practiced medicine for a number of years. From there he went to Union county,
Ark., and after a few years spent in practicing there he removed to Louisiana
in 1859, but after a few years spent in Union parish of this state he retired
from practice on account of ill health. While in Union county, Ark., he was
married to Miss Frazier, and by her became the father of five sons and three
daughters. He was an eminent physician of his day, but in addition to
practicing his profession he was also extensively engaged in planting in
Arkansas and Louisiana, in which business he was quite as successful as in the
practice of his profession. He became quite wealthy but lost heavily during
the war, having about 100 slaves set free by the emancipation proclamation. He
was one of the largest land owners of Union parish, and was well and favorably
known throughout this section as a man of high moral character, who possessed
a generous, hospitable and kindly disposition. He and wife were members of the
Methodist Episcopal church at the time of their deaths in 1870 and 1866,
respectively. Dr. Robert F. Brooks began life for himself at the age of
sixteen years, and having received a good practical education in the common
schools of Union parish, he turned his attention to planting. In 1874 he
began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. J. B. Spears at
Spearville, La., after which he was a student in the Louisiana Medical college
in l87-75, and in 1875-76 at the University of Louisiana (now Tulane
university), from which institution he graduated in March of the latter
year. He began practicing his profession in Union parish, and since
March, 1878, has been located at Shiloh, where he has succeeded in building up
a lucrative practice. He is the owner of a one-half interest in a stock of
drugs and general merchandise, in partnership with E. B. Robinson, and they
are doing a good business in this line. Dr. Brooks owns a small plantation
near Shiloh and some good residence property in the town. He was married
twice, the first time in January, 1877, to Miss Allie S. Moore, daughter of R.
T. Moore of Union parish, her death occurring the following November, and two
years latter [sic] the Doctor wedded Fannie L. Robinson, by whom he has four
sons: Robert H., John M. (deceased), William E. L., and Charles P. Dr. Brooks
and his wife are members of the Missionary Baptist church, and he belongs to
the social order of the K. of P. He is a wide-awake and enterprising citizen,
one who would be considered an acquisition to any locality in which he might
settle.  

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