Born in Whiteside County, Illinois, February 8, 1842, and is a son of Alphonso and Eliza Brooks, natives of New York. Captain Brooks grew to manhood, attending the common schools and subsequently following farming. He enlisted in the Union army at Spring Hill, Illinois, September 20, 1861. His term of enlistment having expired, he again joined the army and saw active service at Kenesaw Mountain and Atlanta. After the battles around Atlanta, he was sent to Nashville under the command of General Stanley. His company was then ordered to San Antonio, Texas, where the Captain was honorably discharged in February, 1866. After the war he returned to the pursuits of private life in Illinois but came overland to Boone county March 7, 1867, and settled on section 16, Peoples Township, acquiring land which he developed into a richly bearing farm. He has ever since given his attention to general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising and has been one of the most successful auctioneers of his part of the state. On March 23, 1864, in Whiteside County, Illinois, Captain Brooks married Miss Louisa Matson. The Captain has always been a stanch adherent of the Republican Party, thoroughly believing in its principles and ideals and loyally supporting its candidates. He served as state representative of Boone County in the twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth general assemblies, ably taking care of the interests of his constituents and participating in important legislation which affected not only his district but the whole state. He has also held several minor offices in Peoples Township. Mr. Brooks is connected with the Masons being enrolled among the members of Peaceful Lodge, No. 454, A. F. & A. M. of Woodward.

Born in Whiteside County, Illinois, February 8, 1842, and is a son of Alphonso and Eliza Brooks, natives of New York. Captain Brooks grew to manhood, attending the common schools and subsequently following farming. He enlisted in the Union army at Spring Hill, Illinois, September 20, 1861. His term of enlistment having expired, he again joined the army and saw active service at Kenesaw Mountain and Atlanta. After the battles around Atlanta, he was sent to Nashville under the command of General Stanley. His company was then ordered to San Antonio, Texas, where the Captain was honorably discharged in February, 1866. After the war he returned to the pursuits of private life in Illinois but came overland to Boone county March 7, 1867, and settled on section 16, Peoples Township, acquiring land which he developed into a richly bearing farm. He has ever since given his attention to general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising and has been one of the most successful auctioneers of his part of the state. On March 23, 1864, in Whiteside County, Illinois, Captain Brooks married Miss Louisa Matson. The Captain has always been a stanch adherent of the Republican Party, thoroughly believing in its principles and ideals and loyally supporting its candidates. He served as state representative of Boone County in the twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth general assemblies, ably taking care of the interests of his constituents and participating in important legislation which affected not only his district but the whole state. He has also held several minor offices in Peoples Township. Mr. Brooks is connected with the Masons being enrolled among the members of Peaceful Lodge, No. 454, A. F. & A. M. of Woodward.