From the 1885 History of Steuben County, Indiana

page 816

Samuel S. Brooks, son of George and Elizabeth (Smith) Brooks, was born in Ontario County, N. Y., May 2, 1833. George Brooks was born in Derbyshire, England, in 1783, and there married Elizabeth Smith, and in 1830 they came to the United States and lived in Ontario County, N. Y., seven years. Then moved to Steuben County, Ind., and settled in York Township. He was a poor man, having but $7 when he reached this country, but their strong hands and brave hearts coupled with an abundance of energy soon overcame poverty and made for their family a good home. At first forty acres and then forty more were bought and reduced to a state of cultivation. The father died in 1854, and the mother in 1874, at the home of her son Robert in Michigan. Their family consisted of nine children. One died on the ocean. Ann is the wife of Orman Sisson, of Lagrange County. Martha and her husband, James Brunk, died in Williams County, Ohio. William and Thomas live in York Township, and George at Pleasant Lake. Henry enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Indiana Infantry and died while in the service in Tennessee. Samuel S. is the subject of this sketch. Robert lives in Branch County, Mich. Frank, the first white child born in York Township, enlisted in Company A, Forty-fourth Indiana Infantry, and died at Fort Wayne. Samuel Brooks was four years of age when his parents moved to Indiana and was reared on the frontier farm. He was married Nov. 16, 1867, to Elizabeth Cooper, a native of Bucks County, Pa., born July 25, 1829. To them have been born two children-- George William and Annie Laura. For one year after their marriage they lived in Michigan and then returned to this county and lived near Metz, on the Cooper farm, two years. April 4, 1871, they moved to their present home on section 17, Otsego Township. The farm contains 131 acres of finely improved land. Their residence is a large and handsome building, and everything betokens thrift and opulence. Mr. and Mrs. Brooks are among the prominent and influential citizens of the county, but their greatest happiness is found in their home and in ministering to the comfort and needs of their family.

Submitted by: Kim Davoli

E-mail: davoli82@juno.com