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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Crittenden County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1890.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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William D. Brooks, a leading farmer and stock raiser of Crittenden County, was born in Shelby County, Tenn., October 5, 1856, and is the first of four children born to Hugh M. and Mattie J. (Scott) Brooks. The father was born in Nashville, Tenn., September 20, 1835. He was the son of Isaac Winston Brooks, who was born in Virginia and died in Tennessee. Mrs. Brooks was a daughter of Eli Scott, and was born in Shelby County, Tenn., October 17, 1840. She was the mother of four children now living and four deceased; those living are William D., Hugh L., John M. and Frank S. Hugh M. Brooks, the father, was a prominent man who immigrated to this county from Shelby County, Tenn., January 7, 1861, and located on 320 acres of land, which he purchased near where William D. now lives. He served three years in the Confederate army, and was appointed judge of this county by the Governor at one time. He was filling the office of justice of the peace at the time of his death, which occurred March 9, 1889. William D. Brooks was reared in Shelby County, Tenn., and received his education at the La Grange College of Tennessee, and was married October 20, 1880, to Birdie E. Shepard, who was born in Yazoo City, Miss., March 8, 1864, and is the daughter of C. D. and Bettie (Hottiman) Shepard. Mr. and Mrs. Brooks are the parents of two children, both living. Mr. Brooks now resides on the old homestead that his father purchased when he came to this county. He is a member of the Masonic order and is Master of the lodge to which he belongs; is also a member of the K. of H. He is a Democrat in politics, and cast his first presidential vote for Tilden. Mr. and Mrs. Brooks, as his parents were, are prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. They are prominent in their county, and enjoy the respect of their acquaintances.

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This family biography is one of 82 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Crittenden County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Crittenden County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Crittenden County, Arkansas family biographies here: Crittenden County, Arkansas Biographies

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