WILLAM M. BROOKS
An enterprising and progressive farmer of Noble Township was born in Nicholas
County, Ky., July 7, 1841, and is of English lineage. He is the seventh child
born to Mosley and Susanna (Geohegan) Brooks, natives of the same County, the
former born in 1805, and died in 1873, the latter born 1803, died in 1871.
The paternal grandfather, Zachariah Brooks, was a native of Virginia, who, at
an early date, removed to Kentucky, where he died at the age of ninety years.
His maternal grandfather, a native of Delaware, was a soldier in the
Revolutionary War, and died in Kentucky. In 1851, the family came to Rush
County. Our subject received a common school education, and his occupation
has always been that of a farmer. He now resides on the old Brooks homestead,
and is the owner of more than 500 acres of land. In 1862, Mr. Brooks enlisted
in Company I, Fifty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. After serving seven
months, he resigned on account of physical disability. The marriage of Mr.
Brooks was solemnized October 6, 1869, to Miss Laura D. Downey, born in
Warren County, Ohio, November 4, 1849. They are the parents of seven
children, viz.: Minnie D., born 1870; Cora D., born 1871; Harry D., born
1873; Edith E., born 1875; Ida F., born 1878; William M., Jr., born 1884, and
Leslie R., born 1887. Mr. Brooks is a staunch Republican and a member of the
G. A. R. For four years he was Trustee of Noble Township. Mr. and Mrs. Brooks
are members of the Christian Church.MELVIN W. BROOKS was born in Nicholas
County, Ky., April 18, 1844; son of Mosley Brooks. The subject of this sketch
came with his parents to this county, when but five years of age, and
received a common school education. At the age of eighteen years, he enlisted
in the Fifty-second Regiment, Company G, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under
Col. Wolf and Capt. Ross Guffin. He participated at the battle of Fort
Donelson where he was wounded. He was a true and brave soldier and at the end
of three years and eight months was honorably discharged, came home and
resumed the occupation of a farmer, and now owns a farm of 175 acres of
well-improved land. The marriage of Mr. Brooks was solemnized April 23, 1867,
to Miss Alice A., daughter of Horatio and Nancy (Townsend) Culver, natives of
New York and Ohio. Mrs. Brooks was born January 31, 1849, and is the mother
of the following children; Fannie, Forrest, Charles, Sadie, Mertie, Vernon
and Oliver M. Politically, Mr. Brooks is a Republican, and also a member of
the G. A. R. Mr. and Mrs. Brooks are members of the Christian Church.
Compendium of Biography Of Henry County, Indiana B. F. Bowen 1920