My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Washington County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  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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Thomas Brooks. This gentleman is one of the most prominent farmers of Washington County, Ark. He was born in Hawkins County, Tenn., April 6, 1832, and is the son of William D. and Susan (Price) Brooks, and the grandson of Thomas Brooks, who was one of two of the first settlers of Hawkins County, Tenn. William D. Brooks was born in Hawkins County, Tenn., was of English descent and a farmer by occupation. He reared seven sons and seven daughters to be men and women, five sons and three daughters now living. The mother was born in Hawkins County. Tenn., also, and died in that county, on the old homestead where she spent her life. The father died in 1854, and the mother in 1859, both lived to be more than three score years. Thomas Brooks (subject) was reared on a farm in his native county, and remained with his parents until twenty-two years of age, or until April 6, 1854, when he married Miss Lucinda Maddox, a native of Hawkins County, Tenn., born in December, 1834. Her parents were among the earliest settlers of that county, and both died in Overton County, of that state. To Mr. and Mrs. Brooks were born eleven children: Mary E. (wife of Willis Rider), Laura H. (deceased), Eliza K. (deceased), John W. (deceased), Francis M., James S., Marquis D. L., Susan K., Maggie E., Nora B. and Effie E. After marriage Mr. Brooke moved to Newton County, Mo., but after a residence there of three years he moved to Washington County, Ark., near where Brentwood is now located, and lived there until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in Company B, First Arkansas Cavalry, United States Volunteers. After nine months he was promoted to sergeant major, and February 28, 1864, he was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant of Company L, First Arkansas Cavalry, etc. January 11, 1865, he was promoted to first lieutenant, and was a brave and gallant officer. He served his country with credit for more than three years. After the war he purchased his farm two and a half miles southeast of Fayetteville, where he owns 250 acres, 165 under cultivation. His wife, three sons and four daughters are members of the Baptist Church; he is a Master Mason, a G. A. R., and is now commander of Travis Post No. 19. Politically he is a firm Republican, having been a Whig before the Republican party existed. He takes an active interest in politics and all public affairs, and was a Republican when it “tried men’s souls.”

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This family biography is one of 300 biographies included in The History of Washington County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Washington County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Washington County, Arkansas family biographies, click here

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