In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1910) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1859
From History of Wichita and Sedgwick County, Kansas, past and present, including an account of the cities, towns and villages of the county (1910), Biographical record. This volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Sedgwick County, Kansas, and a compendium of national biography (1901)
HARLES H. BROOKS, one of Wichita's most enterprising citizens, is an able attorney-at-law of that city, where he has a large and lucrative practice. The firm of Houston & Brooks, of which he is a member, stands high among the legal partnerships of the county.
Mr. Brooks was born in Aulturn, California, in November, 1859, and is a son of Julius P. Brooks, who was born in Windsor county, Vermoiit. He comes of sturdy New England stock and some of his ancestors participated in the Revolutionary War. Aftcr his marriage, Julius P. Brooks went to California, about 1850, and followed mining until his death, in 1 861. He left a widow and two sons, and the mother immediately returned to her home in Vermont. There Charles H. Brooks was reared and received his mental training. He attended Montpelier Seminary, and while yet a young man moved west to Marion, Iowa, where he enteredjUpon the study of law with J. C. Davis, and was admitted to the bar in 1883. He then began to practice with his preceptor and continued thus until 1886, when he moved to Wichita, Kansas, during its early boom. He became a partner of David Smythe, under the firm style of Smythe & Brooks, which was afterward changed to Smythe, Brooks & Cofifin, the last named being C. F. Coffin, now of Indianapolis. He was subsequently associated with Judge T. B. Wall, and in 1898 established the law firm of Houston & Brooks, his partner being Joseph D. Houston. Both are men of recognized ability, with a comprehensive knowledge of the law, and they enjoy a successful practice. Mr. Brooks is a director of the Kansas National Bank, Wichita Gas & Electric Power Company, and Wichita Perpetual Building & Loan Association.
Charles H. Brooks was united in marriage with Jane Lillie, a daughter of W. L. Lillie, of Marion, Iowa, and they have four children: Willard L.; Helen; Catherine; and Josephine. The subject of this sketch became a member of the Masonic lodge and chapter at Marion, Iowa, served as past high priest, and is now a member of Wichita Lodge, No. 99, A. F. & A. M., and is a Knight Templar.
Joseph D. Houston, the partner of Mr. Brooks, was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, March 17, 1858, and is a son of F. W. Houston. He attended Kentucky University and began the study of law at Shelbyville, Kentucky, with Caldwell & Howard, and then took a course in the Cincinnati Law School. He was admitted to the bar in 1879, and afterward practiced his profession and taught school at the same time. In i88i, he removed to Wichita, Kansas, and successfully engaged in general practice. He married Fanny Eddy, of Michigan, and they have two children, Alene and Gwen. Mr. Houston is a prominent Mason and Knight Templar.
As printed in Biographical record. This volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Sedgwick County, Kansas, and a compendium of national biography (1901). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Charles H. Brooks, a member of the legal firm of Houston & Brooks, of Wichita. The firm to which he belongs is one of the most talented and best known law firms in Sedgwick county, which includes Wichita. Mr. Brooks is a native of California, having been born at Auburn, in that state, in November, 1859. He comes of sturdy New England stock and he can trace his ancestry back to the Revolutionary War, in which a number of his forebears were participants. His father was Julius P. Brooks, who was born in Windsor county, Vermont. After his marriage Julius P. Brooks went to California, which was then in the height of its gold excitement, and there the elder Brooks followed mining until his death in 1861. He left a widow and two sons, and the widow immediately returned to her home in Vermont. It was there that Charles H. Brooks was educated. He attended Montpelier Seminary, and while yet a young man moved to Marion, la., where he entered upon the study of law with J. C. Davis, and was admitted to the bar in 1883. He then began the practice of law with his preceptor and continued with the latter until 1886, when he moved to Wichita, Kan., during its early boom days. He at once formed a partnership with David Smythe, under the firm name of Smythe & Brooks, which was afterward changed to Smythe, Brooks & Coffin. The last named, C. F. Coffin, afterwards removed to Indianapolis. Later Mr. Brooks and Judge T. B. Wall formed the firm of Wall & Brooks, and in 1898 the present firm of Houston & Brooks was organized, Mr. Brooks' partner being Joseph D. Houston, which firm still continues and enjoys a leading practice. Corporation law is Mr. Brooks' specialty, and his firm is now a very important cog in that vast legal machine, the counsel end of the Santa Fe Railroad. The firm is also connected in both a business, commercial and legal relation with many other powerful corporations whose influence ramifies throughout the nation. Mr. Brooks' executive capacity is well displayed in his responsible position as president of the Wichita Union Stock Yards Company, where his keen insight into difficult problems of transportation, freight rates, etc., has been invaluable. Mr. Brooks has been a director in the Kansas National Bank, is now president of the newly organized Stock Yards National Bank, and is a director in several local organizations. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and a Knight Templar. He is married, his wife having been Miss Jane Lillie, daughter of W. L. Lillie, of Marion, la. From this union four children have been born: Willard L., Helen, Catharine and Josephine.
As printed in History of Wichita and Sedgwick County, Kansas, past and present, including an account of the cities, towns and villages of the county (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: Joseph D. Houston (b. 1858)
The printed record stops around 1910. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.