PRESLEY
T. BROOKS, a retired farmer now living in ease and comfort in the village of Stanford, is wisely enjoying the fruits
of his early toil and taking satisfaction in the consciousness of a well-spent
life.
He was
born in Hart
County, Ky., Nov. 9, 1821, being the son of Miles and Lucy (Pullian)
Brooks, both natives of Virginia. The father was born Dec. 1, 1781, and
the mother Aug. 5, 1784. Miles Brooks disposed of his possessions in Kentucky in 1828, and started for the prairies
of Illinois, stopping during the winter of
that year and the summer of 1829 in Indiana.
In the
fall of 1829 he came into Sangamon County, where he remained until
December, and then entered a tract of land in what is now Allin Township,
this county, to which he removed his family and where he established a
comfortable home. There he spent the remainder of his days, dying in 1840.
He was
prospered in his farming and business transactions, and at the time of his
death was the owner of 500 acres of choice land with modern improvements. Mrs.
Brooks survived her husband about three years and died Feb. 11, 1844. They
became the parents of eleven children, as follows: America was born March 12,
1806; Elizabeth, April 2, 1807; Virginia, Oct. 10, 1808; Millie, June 16, 1810;
Benjamin P., March 24, 1812; Elzey, Oct. 12, 1814; Sarepta S., Aug. 26, 1817,
Zerilda, Oct. 19, 1819; Presley T., Nov. 9, 1821; Lucy A., May 17, 1825; Martha
D., March 21, 1823.
In Kentucky the parents were connected with the Baptist Church,
but after their removal to Illinois
became members of the Christian Church.
The
subject of this history was reared by his parents, received a very limited
education in the common schools, and after attaining his majority was married,
Dec. 29, 1842, to Miss Eliza S. Larison. They located in Allin Township,
on Government land, and in 1848 entered the land that he located on in 1842.
Mr. Brooks purchased additional land, until he became the possessor of 480
acres, which he brought to a state of good cultivation and erected upon it a
handsome and commodious farm dwelling, with a good barn and all necessary
out-buildings.
He donated
one acre of this for a cemetery and for a school building. He has been a useful
and valued citizen since coming to this community and held the offices of
Constable, Justice of the Peace, Township Supervisor, Assessor, and Treasurer,
being the incumbent of the latter office for a period of eighteen years. As a
Magistrate he officiated twenty-five years.
He has
always been greatly interested in the temperance movement. In early life he
affiliated with the Democratic
party but has now identified himself with the Prohibitionists.
Both Mr. Brooks and his wife are members of the Christian Church.
The
family of Mr. and Mrs. Brooks consisted of ten children, of whom eight are
living, namely, Catherine, Miles, Maiy, Abel, Rachel, Lucy A., Millie and Ella.
The deceased are, America A. and an infant son which died unnamed.
Besides
his town property Mr. Brooks owns 480 acres of land in Allin Township,
on sections 29 and 32, 160 acres of which land he purchased on a soldier's
warrant for the sum of $112.
Portrait and biographical album of McLean
County, Ill. : containing full
page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative
citizens of the county, together with portraits and biographies of all the
governors of Illinois, and of the presidents
of the United States. (Chicago:
Chapman Brothers, 1887), 380. Transcribed
and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards.
Please link to this page if you find it useful – and drop us a note if you do!
