Biographical Cyclopedia of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Compiled and
Published by the John M. Gresham Company, Chicago--Philadelphia, 1896, pp
5-7 [Kenton, KY]

LEE H. BROOKS, Vice-President of the "Cincinnati Leaf Tobacco Warehouse
Co.," and Manager of the Globe Warehouse, the Largest establishment of the
kind in the world, and recently President of the Chamber of Commerce of
Cincinnati, but for eighteen years a resident of Covington, was born in
Bristol, Addison County, Vermont, May 18, 1840.
     In this great country, abounding in opportunities and rich resources,
where so many men have risen from obscurity to eminence, a man's abilities
are measured by the successes he has achieved.  He is the architect of his
own fortune.  Most men who start in life without capital--save their
inherent talents, energy and enterprise--and succeed, do so by force of
their native endowments, and are not indebted to assistance from friends,
capital or circumstances except as they have created them in making their
way to position, wealth and honor.  The subject of this sketch is an example
of what a young man may do if he has the natural sagacity to discover
opportunities and the ability and energy to improve them.
     Mr. Brooks received his early education principally in the High School
of Shelby, New York, and began his remarkably successful career as a clerk
in a grocery, when he was sixteen years of age.  Not satisfied with the
education he had received, he worked industriously during the day and
studied at night, saving his earnings so that at the end of the year he had
the means--which his father could not provide--to defray his expenses for
two years in the Albion Academy in Orleans County, New York, and there
completed his studies.
     He went to Portsmouth, Ohio, where he taught school for four years, but
this occupation was too confining for him, and rather tame for a man of his
active temperament, and he took a position as clerk on an Ohio River
passenger steamer, and was on the river for about five years, occupying
every position on the steamer, from clerk to captain, and had a license as
pilot from the Government, a document which he still prizes as a
reminiscence of his younger days.
     There came a time when he must seek a broader and more promising field
where his energies and natural talents would be more likely to bring
deserved reward, and in 1868 he gave up his pleasant life on the river to
accept a position in Cincinnati as Secretary and Treasurer of the Planters
Tobacco Warehouse Company, where he soon gave evidence of his superior
ability as a business man.  By his energy, business tact and sound judgment
he began to accomplish great things for his employers.  The value of his
services was recognized by them, and at the cern[sic].  He remained with the
Planters until 1872, end of one year he become a partner in the con-[sic]
when he disposed of his interest and determined to establish a new house,
and formed a partnership with William Waterfield and opened the "Globe
Tobacco Warehouse."  In this Mr. Brooks showed his ability in the conduct of
commercial affairs to such an extent that in 1883 the business had increased
so immensely that they were compelled to enlarge their warerooms.  They
accordingly purchased the adjoining building and erected the largest tobacco
warehouse in the world.  At this time also the firm was reorganized under
the name of "The Brooks, Waterfield Company," Mr. Brooks becoming President
of the concern with the result of an ever increasing and successful
business.  Mr. Waterfield died in 1888, but his share in the business was
retained as a good investment by his estate.
     In 1892 all of the tobacco warehouses of Cincinnati were consolidated
and Mr. Brooks was elected Vice-President of the Company and Manager of the
Globe Warehouse.  In this responsible position he has helped to conduct the
combined business of seven large warehouses in a manner that has been highly
satisfactory to the members of the colossal enterprise, and in this has
achieved the crowning success of a remarkable business career, now at its
zenith.
     His early experience on the river was exceedingly pleasant and
fascinating, and in leaving the active pursuits of the steamboatman he
retained his love for the charming life upon the water, and still holds
stock in the various steamboat companies.  He is the friend of the river
men, and they are great admirers of their former associate, as is evinced
by the fact that one of the finest passenger steamers bears the name of "Lee
H. Brooks."
     He is President of the company which owns Coney Island, the famous
resort for Cincinnati people; is director in the Ohio Valley National Bank;
President of the Pettibone Manufacturing Company, the large establishment in
which all kinds of paraphernalia for lodges, societies, schools, etc., are
manufactured, and in which four hundred and fifty people are constantly
employed; President of the Smith-Kasson Company, the largest retail shoe
house in Cincinnati; and besides these, holds leading positions in other
business enterprises.
     Although a resident of Covington, Mr. Brooks is fully identified with
the interest of Cincinnati, which is abundantly proven by the fact of his
having been President of the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, the most
influential commercial body in the city.  Such an election is regarded as
the greatest honor that can be bestowed upon any one in the commercial
world, an honor which is due only to the most able and influential business
man.  He filled this position with perfect satisfaction to all until
October, 1890.
     Mr. Brooks, with his varied career, his indomitable will and energy,
surmounting any and all difficulties and rising to his present high position
in the business world, is a perfect type of the American citizen, an example
which may serve many an ambitious youth, showing what may be done even with
limited resources and few opportunities.  Solely by his own efforts and
native talents, beginning without aid or influence, he has steadily risen
until he is among the most honored business men of Cincinnati, and in his
special line holds the most influential and leading position in the world.
     He also occupies a noteworthy position in the social world and in the
highest benevolent orders, of which he is a valued and helpful member.  He
first entered a Masonic lodge in 1864 and has taken all of the degrees of
the York and Scottish Rites and takes a great pride in being called a
"Shriner."  He is perhaps more devoted to Masonry than the Elks or Knights of
Pythias, of which he is an honored member.
     Politics have no attractions for Mr. Brooks, and he would hardly accept
an office if it were tendered him without the usual bitter strife which
office- seekers have to pass through on the way to victory or defeat.
     Mr. Brooks owns many residences in Cincinnati and Covington, including
his elegant home in Covington, in which he has lived for eighteen years.  He
was married in 1866 to Laura A. Tone of Locust Corner, Clermont County,
Ohio, and is blessed with an interesting family of four children:  Charles
G., George A., Ada and Rosella.  His eldest daughter, a graduate of Wesleyan
College, is the wife of Henry Kasson of the Smith- Kasson (shoe) Company.
Mr. Brooks is a great lover of his family, which is surrounded by the
comforts and luxuries of an ideal home; enjoys meeting his friends,
entertains them royally; is fond of music and choice literature; has a fine
library; and is well informed, not only in the affairs of the active
business life which he leads, but also in the current events.  It is in the
social aspect of his nature that he appears to the best advantage in the
estimation of those who enjoy his genial and intellectual companionship.
     Mr. Brooks' father, Cyrus S. Brooks, was born in Vermont in 1812.  He
was a farmer there for many years, and in 1848 he removed to Orleans County,
New York, and engaged in the shoe business at Shelby Centre, where he was
recognized as a prominent citizen.  He afterwards removed to Wheelersburg,
Scioto County, Ohio, but, preferring his former home, returned to Shelby,
New York, in about two years, and there resumed his former occupation.  His
death, in 1860, resulted from a kick from a horse.  His wife was Sophia
Hazleton, who was born in Vermont in 1816, and is now living with her son,
the subject of this sketch, in Covington.
     Mr. Brooks comes of an old New England family, his ancestor, John
Brooks, having immigrated to this country from England about one hundred and
fifty years ago.  He settled in the State of New York, where his three sons
were born.  It was one of these brothers who settled in Vermont one hundred
and twenty-five years ago and surveyed a large tract of land in Addison
County, reclaiming it from a wilderness and living there all his life.  This
has been handed down from father to son and is still in the possession of
the family.
     One of the sons of this early pioneer was Mr. Brooks' grandfather, so
he is purely American by birth and descent.  On his mother's side he is
related to the noted Colonel Hawkins, who was an officer on General
Washington's staff during the whole time of the Revolutionary war.

Hawkins Hazleton Kasson Tone Washington Waterfield 
=
Hamilton-OH Addison-VT Orleans-NY Clermont-OH Scioto-OH Shelby-NY England

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/kenton/brooks.lh.txt