Biographical Sketches
CAPT. HENRY C. BROOKING
Is a son of the distinguished pioneer in honor of whom Brooking township, Jackson county, was named, and is a man whose own life has been such that it entitles him to specific consideration in a work which has to do with the representative men and women of the locality in which he has lived so long.
The Brookings have long been residents of America. John Brooking, the grandfather of our subject, was a Virginian by birth, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and at an early period he and a brother came west with Daniel Boone to Kentucky. In Scott county, Kentucky, March 10, 1797, Judge Alvan Brooking, the captain's father, was born. There, September 18, 1817, he married Permelia Brooking, who was born and reared in Scott county, and who died there June 1, 1836. For his second wife he wedded, August 18, 1838, Frances Herndon, likewise a native of Scott county. That same year, 1838, he had his family removed to Missouri. They spent one year in Clay county, then came to Jackson county and settled on Section 32 of Brooking township, and here for nearly 20 years he lived a life of usefulness. There were many roving bands of Indians then in Jackson county, who often came to trade with the few white settlers. Mr. Brooking purchased his farm from James Kimsey, the first white man to locate in this community. Previous to the advent of churches here the Brooking residence was on frequent occasions used as a place of worship for the people for miles around, many a Baptist minister sharing its genial hospitality and holding services here. Judge Brooking had joined the church and been baptized in Kentucky as early as 1828. He was a man of deep piety, charity and kindness, was temperate in all things, public-spirited and enterprising, and was recognized as a leader among the people of this pioneer settlement. An old-line Whig and an enthusiastic politician, he represented Jackson and Cass counties in the state legislature of Missouri about 1850, and prior to that time served as county judge. He died November 30, 1857. His second wife had no issue. The children of his first marriage numbered eight, and of that number 5 grew to maturity. Their names are as follows: John, Mary, Wallace, Americus, Robert, Julia, Henry C., and Serena M. All have passed away except the 2 youngest. Serena M. is the wife of Logan Pendleton, of this township, and has 10 children. Mary, the deceased wife of John Campbell, left 8 children.
Henry C. Brooking was born in Scott county, Kentucky, April 24, 1832, and at the time of their removal to Missouri he was 6 years old. In Jackson county he was reared amid frontier scenes, his education being received in the common schools of that period and at Highland Academy. In this county he remained until 1849. That year he was a victim of the gold �fever� which originated in California and spread even to the most remote parts of the civilized world. The only cure for that disease was a trip to the Pacific coast. This journey he undertook and accomplished after long and tedious travel and many discouragements, including an encounter with the Cheyenne Indians, numbering about 800 warriors, who held them at bay for about 24 hours. Mr. Brooking and his party lost their oxen and all their goods by reason of the early snows in the Sierra Nevada mountains, and when he did finally reach his destination, the Lassen ranch, November 18, 1849, he was on foot and with no worldly goods save his rifle and his blanket. He commenced his mining experience on Feather river, and for 5 years he toiled in the mines, with the usual luck of the miner, and at the end of that time started homeward. June, 1854, found him back at the old home place in Jackson county, and here he followed farming until the outbreak of the civil war.
Loyal to his home, his friends and his native land, it was but natural, when the north and the south became involved in war, that he should ally himself with the Confederacy. In 1861 he joined Captain Thurston's company, Colonel Rosser's regiment. Later he was under Colonel Martin's command. A detailed account of his army life and many exploits would fill a volume. Suffice it to say in this connection that he was true to his colors, remained on active duty until the conflict was over, and for gallant service was promoted to the rank of captain. Among the engagements in which he participated were those of Rock creek and Lexington. The first winter he spent in Springfield, Missouri. On being mustered out of the state guards he went to Texas; a few weeks later he returned and became first lieutenant under Captain L. M. Lewis, of Company A, 16th Missouri infantry. He was in the engagement at Lone Jack, Missouri. His report of that battle was the only one ever made, and it was lost. He recalls that there were 105 federals killed, 33 Confederates killed, and 86 Confederates left wounded on the field. Other engagements in which he took part were the battles of Jenkins' Ferry, Prairie Grove and Helena, his service closing with disbandment of the troops at Shreveport, Louisiana, in 1865. At the battle of Prairie Grove he was wounded in the right leg by a minie ball and fell into federal hands.
About a year after the close of the war Captain Brooking returned to his former home in Missouri. Here, June 30, 1868, he was married to Miss Elvira F. Laws, who was born in Westport township, this county, August 19, 1843, daughter of Alfred and Permelia (Epperson) Laws, both natives of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Laws came to Missouri when young and it was in Jackson county that they met and married. They settled on Section 23, Westport township, where they resided until death. He died in 1863, and she in 1889. In their family were 5 children, namely: Eliza A. Allen, Mrs. Brooking, Wallace, Emily Holmes, and Horace. The last named is deceased. Mrs. Laws was a member of the Baptist church. Mrs. Brooking's district-school education was supplemented by a course in the Independence schools, and previous to her marriage she was for several years engaged in teaching in her home district. Ever since their marriage they have resided at their present home, with the exception, however, of 7 years when they were traveling for the benefit of Mrs. Brooking's health. They have no children.
Mr. Brooking's farm comprises 360 acres of choice land, well cultivated and improved, and his home is a model of comfort and convenience, being regarded as one of the most attractive and delightful rural places in the vicinity.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Brooking continue in the faith in which they were reared, that of the Baptist church, he being a deacon and moderator in the church and both being teachers in the Sunday school. Politically, his support has always been given to the democratic party, but he has never held office.
Thus briefly is narrated the life history of a worthy son of a honored father.
This page was last updated August 2, 2006.