Louisiana AHGP

Part of the American History and Genealogy Project

Thomas W. Brooks

Thomas W. Brooks is a merchant of Old Athens, Louisiana, and a short time since was so fortunate as to secure the agency of the celebrated Ames Engines and Boilers, Eagle Gins, Boss Press, Brennan & Co.'s saw mills, Bradford corn mills, Jones' Scales, Perkins' shingle machinery, wood working machinery, cane mills and evaporators. He also deals in the Melchior gin saw cleaners, which are war ranted to gin wet cotton in any condition, together with a full line of machinery, saws, shafting, pulleys, belting, etc. Polite and prompt attention is given to all customers, and all goods are sold at reasonable rates. Mr. Brooks was born in Talbot, County, Georgia, February 16, 1846, to Allen Brooks, a native of Georgia, who was married there to Miss Maria Bullock. Mr. Brooks was a farmer of his native State until his death, which occurred about 1855, after having served in one of the early Indian wars.

Thomas W. Brooks was reared in Talbot and Stewart Counties, and after the death of his father, moved to town with his mother, where he received a thorough English education, which has thoroughly fitted him for the practical life he has led. In 1861 he came to Louisiana, and from the parish of Claiborne enlisted in the Fourth Louisiana Cavalry, Company F, in 1863, serving until the close of the war and participating in some smart skirmishes. He then returned here and after following farming until 1867, he began blacksmithing and repairing, following this calling up to 1889, at Old Athens.

In October of that year he opened his present establishment and carries a very complete line of shelf and heavy groceries besides the stock of goods above mentioned, and is doing a good business as he fully deserves to do. He was married here on February 28, 1866, to Miss Victoria Bridges, who was born and reared in Georgia, a daughter B. N. Bridges, and by her he is the father of seven children: Ida (wife of E. E. Monzingo), Barney, Zadie (wife of W. P. Fincher), Elma, Virgil V., Judge Shepherd and Prentiss. Mr. Brooks was elected to the position of justice of the peace in April, 1887, a position he held four years; socially is a member of the A. P. & A. M., and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Biographical Sketches| Claiborne Parish

Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana, Southern Publishing Company, 1890