Surnames: Brooks, Hayden, Hewett, Glasier Brown, Longenecker, Frank

----Source: Neillsville Press (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) 28 July 1932

-Brooks, Herbert Jesse (11 April 1863 - 1932)

H. J. BROOKS DIED OF HEART ATTACK Sudden Death Comes To Early Resident Of Neillsville

No greater shock has come to this community for many years then that caused by the announcement early Monday morning that H. J. Brooks had been found died at his bedside in a small alcove in his confectionery store, where he usually sleeps. He had been felling unusually well the day pervious, had been out in the country for a ride and came home in good spirits. He spent the evening with a group of friends. It was thought that he had started to retire when al had left the store some time after 11 o’clock, and had died before he got into bed but in the opinion of Coroner Horace Frank, death had occurred that he was not about as usual and the door of the store was locked. They called on neighbors for assistance, the door was forced upon and the body found beside the bed. He had evidently stooped over to lace his shoes and had sunk down, dying apparently without a struggle.

Herbert Jesse Brooks, a resident of Neillsville for over 50 years, was born at Bloomington, Wis., April 11, 1863, being the son of Jesse and Josephine (Hayden) Brooks. He attended the village schools and Bloomington Academy. Being of an adventurous disposition he came north to Clark County in the fall of 1879 to seek work on the Wisconsin Central railroad, then being extended into this county. With some of the crew he walked down through the county from where Withee is now located to Neillsville and most of his life since, he has called Neillsville his home. He worked in lumber camps in winters and two summers 1882-3 he was clerk on the steamer Dexter on the Mississippi River, returning to the lumber camps in winter. He was also clerk in the old Reddan House and in the O’Neill House, popular hotels in Neillsville.

December 23, 1884, he was married to Miss Mary Hewett in Neillsville. They went to Grant County and spent the winter, coming back to make their permanent home here. He became a traveling salesman, at which he was very successful. Many of his trips were through the mining and mountain regions of the west and through the timber and mining districts of northern Wisconsin and Michigan.

In 1900 he and his wife rented the Metchants Hotel which they carried on for two years. Later they managed the O’Neill house for nearly two years. Mr. Brooks then returned his work on the road as traveling salesman, which he followed till about 1916, at which time his health failed and he was laid up for about two years. In 1902 he bought the present home and store building, leasing the store until 1918, when he went into business for himself, handling confectionery, fruits, seeds, etc. In summer he cultivated a large market garden in connection with the store business. In this line of work he took great pleasure and satisfaction. He loved to work among his flowers and vegetables and had remarkable success in producing the best and earliest varieties. He also greatly enjoyed his work in the store, where he met from day to day a group of old friends in a social way one of the few remaining types of the old fashioned village store. He was fond of recalling his early experiences, far and near. He had seen many interesting people, and had a large collection of entertaining relics and reminiscences.

Although a large part of his life had been spent under frontier conditions among the pioneer type of men, Mr. Brooks remained always a gentleman, and bore ever with him the unmistakable marks of good breeding. He was strictly honorable in his dealings and honest to the last cent. He was a good husband and father, a generous and sympathetic neighbor.

Mr. Brooks is survived by his wife and two sons, Fred F. of Neillsville and Herbert H. of Toledo, Ohio; two grandsons, Jesse and Kenneth Brooks. He leaves also the following sisters and brothers: Mina B. Glasier, M. D., Mrs. Daisy J. Brown and Ernest Brooks all of Bloomington; Everett H. Brooks, M. D., of Appleton; Lavern W. Brooks, Wichita, Kansas.

The funeral will be held Thursday afternoon, July 28, at 2 o’clock in Lowe’s Funeral Home, Rev. G. W. Longenecker officiating, The Woodmen of the World, of which deceased was a member, will take part in the funeral ceremonies.

Mr and Mrs. Herbert Brooks and son Kenneth arrived from Toledo Tuesday and other relatives are expected to arrive before the funeral.