Alfred Lysander Brooks

ALFRED L. BROOKS, the subject of this sketch, was the son of BENJAMIIN and ELIZA (RUST) BROOKS, and was born December 15, 1833, in Greene county. The father came from New York state and the mother from Kentucky. His parents both came to Indiana when they were children and were married at Moorseville, Morgan county. They removed to Vincennes and later came to Bloomfield, where he did in 1840. His wife lived until March 1, 1892. Five children were born to them – ALFRED, our subject; CAROLINE, LUCINDA, FINELY, and SELINA – all of whom are deceased. Alfred was a cooper trade, and worked at it until he entered the army in 1861, joining Company H, Thirty-first Indiana Infantry, at Owensburg in August of that year, and served with distinction for three years. He was in the fiercest of the fights at Fort Donelson, Shiloh and Fort Henry. After the last engagement he was taken sick and sent to the hospital at Nashville, Tennessee, where her remained for several months. He never fully recovered health and strength, yet he rejoined his regiment, and being assigned to lighter work, served to the end of his enlistment, the full, three years. In June, 1857, he was married to NANCY E. BROCK, a native of Lawrencecounty, born November 28, 1838, and the daughter of NEWTON and MARTHA (MILLS) BROCK, both natives of Tennessee. They came to Indiana when children, coming in a wagon, though the children walked most of the way. Both parental families came from the same locality and settled in Lawrence county. Newell used to flatboat on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers in an early day. He later came with both families to Greene county, where he engaged in farming until toward the close of his life, when he retired. He died in 1872, and in 1895 his wife followed him. They were members of the Baptist church. They had eight children – NANCY, ERPHRAIM, deceased; JOSEPHUS, and John; each of whom died in the army; DAVID, twin brother of John, lives in Bloomfield; ELIZABETH, deceased; ROENA who lives in Switz City and is the wife of AARON HENNON; JAMES died in childhood.

To ALFRED L. BROOKS and wife were born four children:, BENJAMIN F. married LIZZIE WEBBER, who died in October, 1896. To them were given two children: PRINCE BISMARK and ARILLUS; LUCINDA, wife of JAMES L. MATTOX. They live in Linton and have two children, FAY and WILBURN M.; LILLIE MAY, wife of WILLIAM F. DEAN. They have four children: FRANCIS C., ALFRED, WILBURN H. and NEWELL WATTS; GEORGE, who married MAGGIE SKINNER and is living in Jasper, Dubois county.

Mrs. Brooks, the widow of our subject, is living in Bloomfield with her daughter Lillie, on North Washington street. She is a member of the Presbyterian church.

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Biographical Memoirs of Greene County, Ind. With Reminiscences of Pioneer Days, Illustrated (1908, B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, Indiana) Vol. 1 pg. 367-8

Last updated 7.11.2009