Brookshire - Thomas
THOMAS D. BROOKSHIRE
Source: Weik, Jesse William. Weik's History of Putnam County, Indiana. Indianapolis, Ind: 1910 p 464-5
The record of Thomas D. Brookshire is that of an enterprising and public-spirited gentleman who worthily upholds an honorable family name, and whose life has been very intimately associated with the material prosperity and moral advancement of Franklin Township and in fact with the general progress of Putnam County during the most progressive period of its history for he has always been found on the right side of questions looking to the development of his community in any way and while he has been prominent in the industrial affairs of the county, he has at the same time won an enviable reputation for honesty and wholesome living. He is a native of Montgomery County, Indiana, where his birth occurred October 15, 1861 the son of Drake and Sallie (Graves) Brookshire, his father having come to Montgomery County in 1830, being among the first settlers in this community. He made the long and somewhat hazardous trip overland from Randolph County North Carolina, but he was a hardy son of the soil and enjoyed new conditions and primitive surroundings. Sallie Graves also came from the same locality in the old Tar State and they were married in Montgomery County, Indiana in 1841. Drake Brookshire is still living 3 miles northeast of Ladoga, Indiana, where he owns a valuable farm of 248 acres. He has been very successful since coming here, having seen the country develop in a wonderful manner. He is a man of excellent characteristics. He was born in 1819 and is now in his 91st year. Grandfather Joel Brookshire was a native of NC and came to Montgomery County in 1830. He married Salle Slack. He died in 1869, after rearing a family of 12 children, 5 sons and 7 daughters. To Mr. and Mrs. Drake Brookshire 10 children were born, 9 sons and one daughter, Andrew G; Allen: Alexander M; James and Mary E are both deceased; Hon. Elijah V who represented the old eighth congressional district in Congress for a period of six years, is a prominent lawyer in Washington DC; Joel; Thomas D of this review is the 7th son in order of birth; Swan C (deceased) and Lee. Thomas D. Brookshire was reared on the farm and when old enough assisted with the general work on the same, attending the district schools during the winter months until he reached maturity. He was a student at Ladoga Normal for a time and after receiving a good education he returned to the farm but in 1888 he returned to Ladoga, Indiana and entered the butcher business. He had been very successful at this time but on August 17, 1891 he left that place and came to Putnam County where he purchased a farm which received his entire attention, consequently he has prospered and now owns 150 acres in Jackson Twp, also owns 120 acres in Montgomery County. He has developed his farm in a manner that stamps him as a modern 20th century agriculturist and his abundant harvests annually attest to his care and sound judgment. Besides carrying on general farming he also devotes considerable attention to stock raising, and knowing well how to handle all kinds of stock, no small part of his annual income is derived from this source. He has one of the best improved and most attractive places in the township. On October 15, 1907, Mr. Brookshire moved to Roachdale, where he has since made his home in an attractive, cozy and modern dwelling on Indiana street. He married on November 27, 1884, Emma Myers the representative of an excellent family of Montgomery County, Indiana, where she was born Dec 17, 1863, having been reared on the home farm and educated in the district schools. She is the 5th child in order of birth in a family of 8 children. Mr. and Mrs. Brookshire's pleasant home has been graced by the birth of two interesting children, namedly: Flora C. born Nov 30, 1887 is the wife of Dora Crodian living in Putnam County; Carlisle M, born Jan 5, 1890 is single and living at home. Mrs. Brookshire is a member of the Christian Church. Fraternally, Mr. Brookshire belongs to Roachdale Lodge 602, Free & Accept Masons of which he is past master. Both he and his wife belong to the Eastern Star of which he is worthy patron. He is also a member of Greencastle Chapter No 22 Royal Arch Masons of Greencastle Council, Royal and Select Masters and Greencastle Commandery No 11, Knights Templar. Politically, Mr. Brookshire is a Democrat and he has long taken considerable interest in the affairs of his party and he has always done what he could politically and otherwise to advance the interests of the county. On Dec 1, 1898 he was elected county commissioner from the first district and he made such an honorable and highly commendable record in every way that he has since been reelected twice to the same office, serving the same with fidelity and ability for a period of 9 years and one month, during which time there wer 400 miles of macadam road built and there was an expenditure of 100,000 and he was also chairman of the board of construction when the court house was built, which imposing structure would be a credit to any county as would also the fine system of roads. According to the statement of many of his constitutents and fellow citizens, regardless of party affiliations, Mr. Brookshire was perhaps the best commission the county has ever had for he did many important things while in office and always discharged his duties with a fidelity of purpose that could not help being in the end of general benefit. His record is without a stain or the shadow or suspicion of wrong in any way and he will always have the high esteem of his friends and acquaintances throughout the county or wherever he is known. Mr. Brookshire is a large stockholder in the bank at Roachdale and is one of its directors. Success has attended his efforts because he has worked for it along legitimate lines and has been true to every trust reposed in him. Personally he is a good mixer, genial, genteel, straightforward and hospitable and while advancing his own interests never fails to consider the rights of others. -- typed by kbz