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 R. J. C. BROOKS, dental surgeon, Charleston, is a native of this State, born in Edgar County, Aug. 28, 1838. His parents,
Thomas M. and Sarah B. (Chenoweth)
Brooks, were natives respectively of Pennsylvania
and Ohio. They were married in Ohio and came
to this State in about 1818, locating in Edgar
County, being among its earliest settlers. Later
they removed to Iroquois County where the mother
passed away in 1865. Mr. B. survived his wife
until Aug. 28, 1881, and died after reaching the
advanced age of seventy-six years. Of the thirteen children which gathered around the family
hearth, the subject of this sketch was the seventh
in order of birth. Of these but five are now living.
Thomas M. Brooks was a very prominent man in
Edgar County, being most of the time an incumbent of some office. He was well educated and
taught school for a number of years. During the
existence of the old Whig party he was one of its
stanch supporters and later, a Free-Soil Abolitionist.
Upon the abandonment of the old party he cordially
endorsed Republican principles and was one of the
first in Edgar County to cast his vote for its contemplated measures and its candidates. He was
also interested in the establishment of educational
and religious institutions, assisted in organizing the
Presbyterian Church in Edgar County, and officiated
as Elder in the same for a number of years. Dr. Brooks during his early years attended school in the winter season and later took a full course in the academy at Paris, being there about the time of the breaking out of the late war. In the fall of 1861 he enlisted in Co. E, 66th Illinois Western Sharpshooters, and served as a soldier for three years and four months, holding all the positions from Private to Second Lieutenant, and participating with his regiment in many of the important battles of the war. He escaped comparatively unharmed, receiving only a slight wound in a skirmish with the enemy while in Georgia. He was at the siege and capture of Ft. Donelson, Shiloh and Corinth, and went through the Atlanta campaign, sharing bravely and uncomplainingly the vicissitudes of a soldier’s life, and receiving his honorable discharge and the approval of his superior officers at the close. Upon returning from the army our subject, in company with E. Blake, established a book-store at Mattoon but subsequently withdrew, and returning to his father’s farm in Edgar County, engaged in the nursery business until the following year. Not quite satisfied with the results of this, and having a taste for dentistry, he entered the office of Dr. W. Bradley, under whom he studied for a year, and then placed himself under the instruction of Dr. Richardson, of Mattoon, where he perfected himself in his chosen profession. He commenced practice in Charleston in the spring of 1867, opening a neat office and securing ere long the patronage of the best people of that city and vicinity. Circumstances, however, induced him to change his location, and in 1871 he moved to Sullivan, Moultrie County, where he practiced successfully nine years. Thence he returned to Mattoon and two years later to Charleston, of which he has since been a resident. The home of himself and family is pleasantly located on West Washington street, and besides this he has other good property in the city. The marriage of Dr. Brooks and Miss Lottie, daughter of Simeon Blake, formerly of Charleston, took place Oct. 17, 1804. Of this union there are three children, Frank A., born in 1865; Essie F., in 1868, and Clare W., in 1880. Both the Doctor and Mrs. B. are prominently connected with the Presbyterian Church. He is a stockholder in the Loan and Building Association, and politically is a Prohibitionist of the first water, giving to the subject of temperance much of his time and attention, and assisting in the organization of the party. He also belongs to the I. O. O. F., the K. of P., G. A. R. and R. T. of T. |
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