Notes:

OBITURARY OF JAMES DIXON BROOKS, DATED: WEDNESDAY 29 NOV 1916
DANVILLE COMMERCIAL NEWS/NEWSPAPER ARTICLE
DANVILLE, VERMILLION COUNTY, ILLINOIS
"OLD TIME BUILDER DIED WEDNESDAY A.M.
JAMES D. BROOKS HAD BEEN SUFFERING FROM RHEUMATISM OVER YEAR.
JAMES DIXON BROOKS, in former years a prominent carpenter and builderof the city, but of recent years following the trade of a cobbler,died at his home 532 1/2 Sherman Street shortly after ___ (3 or 8)o'clock Wednesday morning. Inflammatory rheumatism and a generaldecline were the ascribed causes of his demise, but his kin declarethat he died largely of a broken heart. The death of an only sister,Mrs. Mollie Thurman, who was burned to death in a fire near Oakwoodover a year ago (actually she died Feb. 1916), greatly affected himand his decline dated from that time, the relatives say.
Mr. Brooks was born in Ohio, Aug. 14, 1844, the son of the late DorseyBrooks and came to this county when a young man. He was one of alarge family. Shortly after his marriage at Champaign to Miss MollieM. Cummings, the family removed to Missouri, where Mr. Brooks wasengaged in the carpenter and contracting business. They moved back toDanville about twenty- five years ago. Until about seven years ago,when infirmities began to impair him, he followed the carpenterbusiness and then became a shoe repairman. The family resided foryears at 1018 Logan Avenue, and had been at the Sherman Streetresidence for about a year.
Mr. Brooks is survived by the widow, and by three children: Mrs.Frank Gillespie, Jeffersonville, Ind.; Mrs. C.H. McGraw, Indianapolis,and Clarence Brooks of this city. Two of the children preceded him indeath. These were Mrs. Allie (Gertrude Allie Brooks) Smart, mother ofEugene Smart, the musician, who was raised by Mr. and Mrs. Brooks, andMrs. Charles (Elizabeth Brooks) Lindstrom. The latter died aboutthree years ago.
Mr. Brooks for years was in the Modern Woodmen.
Funeral arrangements are not completed, owing to the failure to hearfrom relatives from a distance."
[Transcribed, 12 Jan 2006, Compiler: SLJuhl] (The ______underline's that are blank represent unreadable printing in thearticle of words or numbers by the compiler.)

James married Mary Elizabeth Cummins on 28 Feb 1872 in Champaign, Champaign County, Illinois. Mary (daughter of James Turner Cummins and Catharine Booth) was born on 12 Jun 1855 in Iowa, USA; died on 7 Apr 1921 in Jeffersonville, Clark County, Indiana; was buried in Apr 1921 in Hebron Cemetery, Newton, Vermillion County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Gertrude Allie Brooks was born on 15 Jan 1873 in Vermillion County, Illinois; died on 27 Sep 1894 in Danville, Vermilion Co., Illinois, USA.
2. Lenora Brooks was born about 1876 in Vermillion County, Illinois; died on 6 Aug 1929 in Highland Park Hospital, Illinois; See Notes; was buried in Aug 1929 in Hebron Cemetery, Newton, Vermillion County, Illinois.
3. Anna Mable Brooks was born on 1 May 1880 in Vermillion County, Illinois; died on 10 Apr 1956 in Illinois, USA.
4. Elizabeth Brooks was born in Jul 1886 in Vermillion County, Illinois; died in 1913 in Danville, Vermilion Co., Illinois, USA.
5. Clarence Dixon Brooks was born on 24 Oct 1888 in Vermillion County, Illinois; died in 1925 in Danville, Vermilion Co., Illinois, USA.

Notes:

"1st Generation:
DORSEY BROOKS, (His first name was Joseph, but preferred Dorsey.) (B.August 22, 1811 in Ohio D. April 20, 1876 Vermillion County,Illinois) Was a boot and shoe manufacturer. Marrie (1) Susanna(Pate) Johnson (B. March 17, 1804 in Montgomery County, Virginia D.April 22, 1869 in Vermillion County, Illinois) Both are buried inPate Cemetery near Catlin, Vermillion County, Illinois. Daughter ofJeremiah Jr. and Catherine (Fry) Pate. Issue: Mary Ann, LewisBrowning, (Joseph) Dorsey Jr., and James Dixon Brooks. Married: (2)Mrs. Mary J. Miller. Stepsons: John and Joshiah Miller."
Source: Joyce Lorraine Clore Elkins, c. 2003 [Transcribed 09 Jan2006, SLJuhl]

Per Joyce Lorraine Clore Elkins at the beginning of the Brooks FamilyRecords before 2003:
"Brooks History
In wanting to learn more about our Douglass and Brooks history, I madea trip to Danville, Illinois to visit my aunt Alice Shappard. (AliceMargaret Douglass) My family had moved from Danville when I was ateenager, and I had lost track of most of the famies on my mothersside of the family. We had quite a nice visit and a few more beforeshe passed away.
She had a book of "The LaBaw Family Record" written by R.K. Buckner,that included the Douglass family. I borrowed it ti copy. Now have abook of my own (this book is now with the compiler, SLJuhl).
Aunt Alice had a Family Bible and on one page was written:
Dorsey Brooks b. 1812 VA.
Susanna Pate
Mary Ann b. 12-14-1838
Lewis Browning b. 2-5-1840 Wheeling VA. d. 9-22-1906
Dorsey Jr. b. 11-12-1841
James dixon b. 8-14-1843
She never mentioned any of the family except Lewis Browning, so maybeshe didn't know that the rest of this family also lived in VermillionCounty, Illinois. Her quote was: "Lewis was born in Wheeling, VA. Hecame to Indiana and was never known to return to VA. (W. VA.) Hisfamily was very dishearted when he joined the Army (CO. A. 71 IllinoisInfantry) and fought for the North instead of the South in the CivilWar."
In the year of 1862, Dorsey Brooks #1, brought his family toVermillion County, Illinois. All but Lewis lived and died there andare buried in three different cemeteries, Catlin-Danville-Oakwood."{Transcribed 10 Jan 2006, SLJuhl]

A Source: United States Federal Census Records of Dorsey Brooks andfamily:
1840 Western Dist., Brooke Co., VA. (No. of Wheeling, W. VA.)

Source: 1850 Independence TWP., Washington Co., OH.; Plus per JoyceL. Clore Elkins Census records
Name: Dorsey Brooks, Shoemaker
Age: 37
Estimated birth year: abt 1813
Birth Place: Ohio
Gender: Male
Home in 1850
(City,County,State): Independence, Washington, Ohio
Dorsey Brooks
Susan
Mary A.
Lewis B.
Dorsey
James D.
Source Citation: Year: 1850; Census Place: Independence, Washington,Ohio; Roll: M432_738; Page: 533; Image: 709.
www.Ancestry.com; 22 May 2007; SLJuhl, compiler

Source: 1860 Whitewater, near Cinn., Hamilton Co., OH.; Census perJoyce L. Clore Elkins records
Name: Dorsey Brooks, Farmer; value 300/200
State: OH
County: Hamilton County
Township: Whitewater Township
Record Type: Federal Population Schedule
Page: 198
Database: OH 1860 Federal Census Index; www.Ancestry.com; 22 May 2007
Source: Name: Dorsey Brooks
Age in 1860: 51
Birth Year: abt 1809
Birthplace: Ohio
Home in 1860: Whitewater, Hamilton, Ohio
Gender: Male
Value of real estate: View image
Household Members: Name Age
Dorsey Brooks 51 OH
Susan Brooks 58 VA
Mary A Brooks 21 OH
Lewis Brooks 19 VA
Dorsey Brooks 17 OH
www.Ancestry.com; 22 May 2007, SLJuhl, compiler
Source Citation: Year: 1860; Census Place: Whitewater, Hamilton, Ohio;Roll: M653_980; Page: 198; Image: 399.

(1862) Danville, Illinois - children married there in 1863.
1870 Oakwood, Vermillion Co., IL.
1880 Dist. 211, Catlin, Vermillion Co., IL.

Correspondence from:
Ruth B. Hamernik
108 N. Crowapoint
Ada, OK 74820

To:
Joyce Lorraine Clore Elkins
103 Washington
Montezuma, IN. 47862
Dated: Sunday 14 April 1991
?Dear Cousin Joyce!
I am still enjoying the feeling of finally hearing from a livingBROOKS relative! So nice of you to get in touch and nice of Clovis togive you my name. I think I have the items ready to send you tomorrow?. Hope you can make out my notes, especially. Just ask if somethingneeds explaining.
Sending census readings for Dorsey?s family. I don?t know where hewas before the 1840 census of Brooke Co., Va. In his father?shousehold I guess, age about 19 (29). But before 1850 we don?t getnames of everyone in the household ? just the head of household. Sowill have to find out some other way, and I hope he will show up in awill or from some other Brooks researcher. His birth state on thecensuses was always listed as Ohio, so I have been using that.
If Susan PATE mostly finished growing up in Dearborn, Ind. I don?tknow where she met up with old Dorsey Brooks. Although there areJohnston?s shown in Brooke Co., Va. Census. But that is also a commonname. I have a hunch (only a hunch) that Dorsey had a background ofbeing earlier in Hamilton co., Ohio and just across the river fromSusan and met her there. He did go there by 1860, as shown on census. By 1862 the family was in Danville, Ill. And your Lewis B. andbrother Dorsey, Jr. married in Vermillion Co., Indiana in 1863. Ijust wish the courthouse in Dearborn Co. hadn?t burned the recordsthere. Well, Maybe some PATE researcher will know and we will findout more about Susan and her marriages.
I have submitted queries for later publication in the BROOKS HISTORIANquarterly, and for the ILLIANA quarterly at Danville, Ill. Will beprinted in about July. Will let you know if I get a response. TheDanville group has really helped me a lot for year?s ad I learnedabout our family so much from records there. I am a long time memberof our local genealogical library and volunteer. So have usedmicrofilm and books for all my research ?. And have written manyletters, of course. This is the side of my family that I knew almostnothing on when I started. So I appreciate any little bits I get.
Lewis Browning ?.. Gosh, I thought I would never know his middle name! With first sons usually named for the father?s father, I hope thiswill be a clue, or the name of his grandfather. A puzzle at thistime, but maybe something will come to light. I just KNOW that theBrowning?s next door to them in 1840 are kin in some way. And I don?tthink Susan was Dorsey?s first wife ?. She would have been about 34years old when the first child was born and that just doesn?t seemright. Or maybe there were younger children we know nothing about andthey had died. But the family I have heard from knows nothing aboutthat. Or any children she might have had by that George Johnston.Anyway, I now know to look for BROWNING family clues.
And the Margaret Brooks I met in Danville told me that her uncles usedto refer to Susan as ?that old Susan Pate?! Well, I do think she wasprobably the mother of my James Dixon Brooks. Margaret said all ofthe sons and grandsons could do shoe repair. She is granddaughter ofDorsey Jr.
I can?t find the 1860 census note I had with the parents of MargaretRandall on it. I copied it once but it?s lost I guess! But I dorecall that Margaret was still single at home. And I think had abrother Charles. Maybe others, too. And I recall that her mom bornin England. Vermillion Co. would probably have more info on thatfamily. The two little boys of Lewis and Margaret that I found on the1870 census probably died.
Your Lewis was the only child of old Dorsey I couldn?t find in lateryears after 1870. I?ve looked and looked, because our ?cousin?Margaret in Danville said he did live because her father told how theyalways looked forward to a visit from ?Uncle Lew?. And that wouldhave been after 1870. Then several months ago in an Illiana quarterlyI saw a listing of some GAR members joining after the Civil War. Anda LOUIS Brooks was one that turned out to be yours. But I wasn?t sureuntil you wrote that he was the same Lewis. Margaret Brooks said yourLewis was at one time a machinery salesman. Her family told her thatI guess.
I don?t have a name for the cemetery where Lewis B. is buried. Wouldyou send it later? And a picture of the marker if there is one and itisn?t too much trouble. I hope to get pictures from the PATE cemeterywhere old Dorsey and Susan are buried. They have stones. That?s Igot their death dates only last year. All but Lewis are buried outfrom Danville in 3 different cemeteries.
Lewis? only sister Mary Anne was known as Mollie and that is the nameon her tombstone? ?Aunt Mollie? Thoroughman and the dates (error onbirth year). Her husband is also buried there, dying much earlierthan she. They had no children and she married at age of about 38.
What did you think about your Lewis being listed as the Constable onthe 1870 census? This was in the little town where they lived whenthey came from Ohio. Near the cemetery north of their where mine areburied at the Hebron Methodist Church cemetery. It is such a prettylittle church and cemetery well kept and still used some, though it issmall. I hope you can go there some day and see it. There used to bea town of Newtown close, but the town is gone. Oakwood is still thereand on the map. North of there is where the cemetery is.
Well, I think I will let you rest and hope this is not too much todump on you! I wanted to send you what I have and will keep in touchwith anything else I find. Hoe this has helped. I had no expense oncopying.
Sincerely, Ruth?
[Transcribed: 11 Jan 2006, SLJuhl]

Correspondence from:
Ruth B. Hamernik
108 N. Crowapoint
Ada, OK 74820
To:
Joyce Lorraine Clore Elkins
103 Washington
Montezuma, IN. 47862
Dated: Monday, 22 Apr 1991
?Dear Joyce,
I?m back again?.Wanted to send you this enclosed 1860 census ofVermillion Co., Ind. Where your Margaret Randall is still in herfather?s household, just 3 years before she married your Lewis BROOKS.
And I am sure that Margaret?s mother was not the Elizabeth listedhere. That explains your mention that Margaret had a half-brother. Ithink the 2 year old Thomas W., and Lewis E. age 1, are bothhalf-brothers of Margaret. And I believe the Charles COLTON, bornEngland like Elizabeth, is probably Elizabeth?s brother.
So Elizabeth, the wife of Wm. RANDALL here, is a second wife. I willlook at an earlier census if it is available here and see who hisfirst wife was. There were COLTONS in other countries but I haven?tlooked at them yet, as they aren?t your line.
Maybe we can eventually find some marriage records that will help findthe first wife of Wm. Randall. I?ll try, and let you know what Ifind.
I?ve desperately tried with what is available here, to get a tie-infor the BROWNING and BROOKS family. Don?t have what I need, and itwas in a time period that?s hard to research.
But I?m still hoping for some success and will keep in touch with you. Again I thank you for writing to me.
Sincerely, Ruth?
[Transcribed, 11 Jan 2006, SLJuhl]

*Dorsey married *Susanna Pate in 1837 in Virginia; First Marriage For Dorsey.. *Susanna (daughter of *Jeremiah Pate, Jr. and Catherine Fry) was born on 17 Mar 1804 in Montgomery County, Virginia; died on 22 Apr 1869 in Vermillion County, Illinois; was buried in Apr 1869 in Pate Cemetery Northwest Of Catlin, Vermillion County, Illinois; The Pate Cemetery Could Suggest The Cemetery Was Named From Some Of Her Relatives.. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Older than Dorsey and first married to George Johnson. Her parentswere Jeremiah Jr. and Catherine (Fry) Pate. She finished growing upin Dearborn County, Indiana and her father died there. She was in herthirties and fourties when her children were born. The court houserecords for that time period were burned in Dearborn County.
It is not known if there were children from her first marriage or whatbecame of her first husband.

Notes:

1840 Federal United States Census for Brooke County, Western District,Virginia (now West Virginia)
207-Head of Family: Lewis Browning Brooks
1 free white male 5-10 years old
1 free white male 10-15 years old
1 free white male 30-40 years old
1 free white male 70-80 years old (Lewis Browning Brooks)
2 free white females under 5 years old
1 free white female 5-10 years old
1 free white female 30-40 years old
1 free white female 60-70 years old
No slaves, no free colored, no Foreigners not naturalized.
Note: Looks like one of Lewis's sons and wife are living in the samehousehold with Lewis and his wife. On the same census sheet is listedDorsey Brooks (20-30 years). There is also in the county a WilliamBrooks, age about 50-60 years, Charles Brooks, young, Benjamin D.Brooks, young.

209-Head of Family: Parker Brooks
2 free white males under 5 years old
1 free white male 5-10 years old
1 free white male 30-40 years old (Parker Brooks)
1 free white female under 5 years old
1 free white female 20-30 years old

*William + Sarah. and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Note: Jeremiah Jr. Pate, Revolutionary War.

*Jeremiah married Catherine Fry before 1783 in Virginia. Catherine and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

1840 Federal United States Census for Brooke County, Western District,Virginia (now West Virginia)
207-Head of Family: Lewis Browning Brooks
1 free white male 5-10 years old
1 free white male 10-15 years old
1 free white male 30-40 years old
1 free white male 70-80 years old (Lewis Browning Brooks)
2 free white females under 5 years old
1 free white female 5-10 years old
1 free white female 30-40 years old
1 free white female 60-70 years old
No slaves, no free colored, no Foreigners not naturalized.
Note: Looks like one of Lewis's sons and wife are living in the samehousehold with Lewis and his wife. On the same census sheet is listedDorsey Brooks (20-30 years). There is also in the county a WilliamBrooks, age about 50-60 years, Charles Brooks, young, Benjamin D.Brooks, young.

209-Head of Family: Parker Brooks
2 free white males under 5 years old
1 free white male 5-10 years old
1 free white male 30-40 years old (Parker Brooks)
1 free white female under 5 years old
1 free white female 20-30 years old

*Jeremiah married *Christina Harmon in 1753 in Virginia. *Christina (daughter of *Heinrich Adam Harmon and Louisa Katrina Unknown) was born between 1732 and 1749 in Virginia; died in 1816 in Montgomery County, Virginia; was buried in Montgomery County, Virginia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]