Frank John Brooks 1869-1933

Frank probably at the occasion of his marriage, 1891. Frank in about 1910.

Photos graciously shared by Ruth Ann Peake.

Born: March 20, 1869 in Lansingburg, New York

Died: June 28, 1933

Spouse: Mary “Mae” Elizabeth (Briggs) Brooks m. September 1, 1891 in Appleton, Wisconsin

Children: Eunice Ruth (Brooks) Wingrove

Helen Margaret (Brooks) Williams

Frances Josephine (Brooks) Kowald

Thomas Wallace Brooks

Occupation: Traveling Man and Merchant.

Father’s name: Thomas Wallace Brooks Birth place: London, England

Mother’s name: Ruth Ann (Walker) Brooks Birth place: Hoosick, New York

Siblings: Anna Rebecca (Brooks) Palmer

Myron Walker Brooks

Oscar Joslin Brooks

Charles Howlett Brooks

Carrie Victoria (Brooks) Ryan

Florence Augusta Brooks

Mary Ella Brooks

Carrie Guild Brooks

Frank and Mae were separated or divorced sometime between 1898 and 1901.

According to the city directories for Appleton, Wisconsin, Frank Brooks resided at a boarding house called Sherman House (no address) from 1889 –1890 working with his brother Oscar at a variety store called Appleton Bazaar and then he is at the address of 533 Morrison for 1891-1892. Then he is absent from the record until 1896-1897 when he is shown at the residence at 630 Union. The library then has a gap in its collection of city directories. When they pick up again in 1901, he is no longer found.

There is another city reference that place Frank John and brother Oscar living with their dad at 533 Morrison until Frank marries. He then lived at the Briggs house at 770 Lawrence St. until 1895 or 96 about the time that Francis Josephine was born. Then the family is at 630 Union St. for approx 1 year.

I also have a portion of a copy of a state mirofiche record (Pretty weak, huh?) of a Frank J. Brooks with the same birth date being in Monroe County. (Peel #0322, Record # DX0391)

Other Appleton, Wisconsin names that came up in research that may be relevant:

Ida Brooks (?) (Mentioned in period newspapers.)

E. H. Brooks (?) (Noted in city directory as a doctor.)

Rev. Jabez (H. S.) Brooks (Also from the city directory.)

Preston Brooks (Name came from an 1856 Appleton Crescent newspaper.)

Virginia Brooks, a student residing at 700 N. Union in 1925. Possibly aka Virginia Neller?

Frank J. Brooks, a teamster in 1874…He started working at 6 yrs old?

E. Brooks, a cooper working at Spauldings.

Granddaughter Ruth Ann Peake, daughter of son Thomas, shares this, “I don't know if you knew or not, but my father and Aunt Helen were raised by Aunt Carrie and Uncle Clarence Ryan.  They never had children and Grandma Brooks had so many children to raise, and Aunt Helen was (as they said then) "sickly", so they sent the only boy and the little girl to live with their aunt and uncle in Troy, NY at a farm called "The Maples".  Daddy loved the life there, and I think they were spoiled.   Daddy and Aunt Helen always remained close.”

One of the Brooks Family History collection of notes (I’ve got 3 different copies now) says that Frank’s middle name is Joslin, rather than John.

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