Bio of BROOKS, Edmund De Witt (b.1866), Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical
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EDMUND DE WITT BROOKS - Vol II, pg 310-313
A choice soul passed on when Edmund De Witt Brooks was called home. He had
contributed much to the development and literary culture of Minneapolis as a
dealer in and importer of rare books and manuscripts. He formed wide
acquaintance and many strong friendships in England, Scotland, and other parts
of the world and did much to strengthen the friendly relations that have grown
up wherever close connection has brought a mutual understanding.
Edmund De Witt Brooks was a native son of Minnesota, his birth having occurred
at Red Wing, on the 2d of May, 1866. His parents were Edmund West and Harriet
(Patterson) Brooks. His father was born on the Connecticut Reserve in northern
Ohio and as a young man made the pilgrimage across the Great American Desert in
1849. After two years spent in California he returned by way of the Isthmus of
Panama. In 1851 he was married to Harriet E. Patterson, who was born in Great
Barrington, Massachusetts, and they established their home in Cleveland, Ohio,
where they resided until the condition of Mr. Brooks' health caused their
removal to Red Wing, Minnesota, in 1864. Their remaining days were spent in that
city and Mr. Brooks was actively associated with the civic, business, religious
and educational affairs of Red Wing. He was a representative of one of the
oldest American families, his ancestors having come to the new world in 1635, at
which time settlement was made in Haddam, Connecticut. The great-grandfather of
Edmund D. Brooks was Captain James Brooks. The Patterson family was established
in the new world in 1685, when the first ancestor took up his abode at Perth
Amboy, New Jersey, and later removed to Stratford, Connecticut. The
great-grandfather in that line was Charles Patterson.
Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, Edmund De Witt Brooks
attended the public schools of Red Wing and afterward became a student in Tabor
College at Tabor, Iowa, from which he was graduated in 1888, with the Bachelor
of Arts degree. In the following year he became identified with the Security
Bank, now merged with the First National Bank of Minneapolis, and was associated
with the institution for twelve years, or until 1901. In the latter year he
became a dealer in and importer of rare books and manuscripts, conducting the
business first at No. 605 Marquette avenue South, and later removing to the
Handicraft Guild building at No. 89 South Tenth street, where he remained in
business until his death. He was also a director in the Goodhue County National
Bank at Red Wing and in the La Grange Mills at that place. In connection with
his book business, between the years 1899 and 1914, Mr. Brooks spent three or
four months of every year in London and on the continent. In 1899 he went from
London on a bicycle over England, Scotland and parts of Ireland. He inspected
eighty stocks of books and made acquaintances which ripened into friendships
lasting to the time of his death. He enjoyed in both London and Edinburgh
business and friendly relationship with many whose names are well known in
literature and art throughout the English speaking world. At the time of his
death, which occurred less than three months after the armistice was signed, his
great interest was in plans for a better understanding and cooperation between
England, France and America. He was in correspondence with others in foreign
lands who were interested in this question and it was his earnest desire to do
much to strengthen the bonds between the three nations. He did everything in his
power to further the cause of his country and the allies during the World war
and had charge for the Red Cross of the distribution of Christmas cartons for
the northwest to the men overseas in 1918.
On the 25th of July, 1895, at Tabor, Iowa, Mr. Brooks was united in marriage to
Edith Marian Brooks, a daughter of Dr. William M. and Adelia (Jones) Brooks. Mr.
and Mrs. Edmund De Witt Brooks became parents of one son, Edmund William. In his
political views Mr. Brooks was somewhat independent but usually voted the
republican ticket. He was a trustee of the Minneapolis Institute of Art and
chairman of the committee of the Minneapolis School of Art. He had membership in
the Skylight Club and the Minneapolis Club, both of Minneapolis, and the Cliff
Dwellers and the Caxton Club of Chicago, the Franklin Club of St. Louis, the
Rowfant Club of Cleveland and the National Arts and Lotus Clubs of New York
city; the Authors Club of London, the California Book Club of San Francisco and
others. Following his death there appeared in the February Bulletin of the
Minneapolis Institute of Art for 1919, an article which he had prepared on the
work of collectors which was to be the first of a series. So the magazine that
Contained his first article, contained also the news of his death and an
appreciation of his work. All who knew him-and he had a wide acquaintance-bore
testimony to his high purpose, his lofty ambition, and his interest in all that
makes life worth while, for the individual and for the community.