John H. Brooks Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1580-1590 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	JOHN H. BROOKS, the popular and capable proprietor of the 
Commercial Hotel in Britton, Marshall county, comes of staunch old 
Quaker stock, the original American ancestors, in both the paternal and 
maternal lines. having first settled in Vermont, while later they 
removed to Pennsylvania, where the respective families have resided for 
several generations. The subject was born in York county, Pennsylvania, 
on the 11th of June, 1852, and was reared to manhood in the famous old 
Keystone state of the Union. His father, John Brooks, was born in that 
state, on the 1st of January, 1812, and there both he and his wife, 
whose maiden name was Eliza Harry, passed their entire lives, being 
persons of sterling character and ever commanding uniform respect and 
esteem. They became the parents of five children, of whom three are 
living, the subject of this review being the youngest. Mr. Brooks 
received his educational training in York, the capital of his native 
county, where he attended the public schools until he had attained the 
age of eighteen years. In 1870 he went to the city of Baltimore, 
Maryland, where he learned the machine-moulder's trade, continuing his 
residence in the "Monument City" until 1875, when he removed to Ogle 
county, Illinois, where he remained for three years, engaged in farming 
and also teaching school for a time. He thence went to Wichita, Kansas, 
where he was engaged in the buying and selling of cattle about three 
years, making trips to Texas and other points for the purpose of 
securing stock for shipment. In 1881 he went to Pierce City, Missouri, 
where he remained until the spring of 1883. when he came to the present 
state of South Dakota and numbered himself among the pioneers of 
Marshall county. In May of that year he filed entry on a pre-emption 
claim in the immediate vicinity of the present village of Newark, being 
one of the first settlers in that locality and remaining on his claim 
one year, duly perfecting his title. He also took up a homestead and a 
tree claim after proving on his original claim, and to the two latter 
tracts he proved title in 1886. In that year he engaged in the livery 
and draying business in Newark, successfully continuing operations in 
the line until 1893, when he was elected sheriff of the county and 
forthwith removed to Britton, the county seat, in the meanwhile 
disposing of his business interests in Newark. After the expiration of 
his official term he engaged in farming and trading, thus continuing 
until November, 1899, when he purchased the Commercial Hotel, which he 
has since conducted most successfully, having doubled the capacity of 
the house and made it modern and attractive in all respects. The 
building is three stories in height and has forty sleeping rooms, while 
its appointments are first-class throughout and its cuisine 
exceptionally excellent. He spares no pains in catering to the wants of 
his patrons, and is ably seconded by his wife, both being genial and 
hospitable and having the esteem of all who know them. It may be stated 
at this point that Mrs. Brooks also has the distinction of being a 
pioneer of the county, having been the first woman to permanently settle 
in Newark township. In politics Mr. Brooks is a stalwart Republican, and 
has taken an active part in public affairs, though he has not held other 
important official preferment than that of sheriff, in which capacity he 
made a most creditable record. He is a member of Benevolent Lodge, No. 
98, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. 

	On the 21st of December, 1880, Mr. Brooks was united in marriage 
to Miss Adella Tarbert, who was born and reared in Maryland, as were 
also her parents, Andrew and Amelia Tarbert. Mr. and Mrs. Brooks have no 
children.