Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 511 - 512 

DR. HOMER E. BROOKS is one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Wichita, where he has been practicing his profession since the month of June, 1885. His wide experience and careful study have given him a good position in his profession, and he has an extensive practice in the city and county. He was born Dec. 25, 1834, in Ashtabula County, Ohio. He is of Scotch descent, and his paternal great-grandfather, Malcolm Brooks, was a Highland Scotchman. He came to America, and settling in Vermont, married, at St. Alban's Bay, a lady by the name of Eastman. They reared a very large family of children. Their son Hanniah, grandfather of our subject, married Elizabeth Spooner, also a native of Vermont, and to them were born many sons and daughters. Their son Joseph, father of our subject, was born Dec. 17, 1804, in Ohio. He married, Dec. 17, 1829, Lois Richards, who was born in Connecticut in 1809. They had nine children, of whom the Doctor is the sole survivor, the others dying young.

            Joseph E., the father of our subject, an energetic, industrious man, was a millwright by trade. He moved with his family from Ohio to Wisconsin in 1856, and the succeeding eleven years was actively engaged in farming. He then moved to Illinois, where he remained a resident for five years. Finally he moved with his family to Davis County, Mo., and there he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives, his death occurring in 1879 and hers in 1880.

            Our subject grew to manhood in his native State, in the meantime acquiring a fair education in the common schools. At the age of twenty-one he went to Oconto, Wis., and there engaged in the lumber business for eleven years. During that time he spent all his leisure time in studying medicine, which he had previously begun at the age of nineteen. He also practiced a good deal, gaining quite a local reputation for skill in doctoring. In 1869 he went to Earlville, LaSalle Co., Ill., and there engaged in practice with Dr. D. M. Vosburgh, continuing with him until 1875, with the exception of the time when he was in attendance at the Rush Medical College, of Chicago, from which he was graduated in 1872. He afterward made further preparations for his professional duties by taking a course at the Physo-Electric Medical College, of Ohio, receiving a diploma from that institution in 1879. In 1875 the Doctor left Earlville and repaired to Green Bay, Wis., and practiced his profession there the succeeding two years. In the spring of 1877 he removed to Winston, Davis Co., Mo., where he continued the exercise of his profession until his removal to this city. Immediately on coining here he purchased a lot and built a house on the West Side. Since then the growth of the city has been very rapid, and the value of his property has increased proportionately.

            Dr. Brooks, during the Rebellion, was Captain of Company A, 1st Wisconsin Independent Cavalry, serving for two and one-half years, and while in the army traveled over the region embracing Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico and Indian Territory, and had many exciting experiences, and saw some hard service. He is now prominently connected with the G. A. R. He is a Mason, and in politics is a hearty supporter of the Republican party.

            Dr. Brooks has been twice married. The maiden name of his first wife, to whom he was married June 9, 1859, was Sarah Slocum. She was a native of Rochester, N. Y., and was the daughter of Smith and Elizabeth Slocum. Her death occurred Aug. 8, 1869, after a little more than ten years of married life. She was the mother of three children—Amy L., Sarah V. and Frank E. The Doctor's second marriage was Feb. 7, 1872, to Miss Emma M. Dunn, daughter of John and Laura Dunn. She was born in Coldwater, Branch Co., Mich., Aug. 11, 1848, and is one of a family of eight children, namely; Hattie E., Loretta L., Mary E., Emma M., Clara E., Eva E., Myron A. and John E. Hattie is now Mrs. Leach, of Ellsworth, Kan.; Loretta is Mrs. Hildreth, of Kansas City, Mo.; Mary is Mrs. Ayers, of Sedgwick County; Myron lives in Marion, Linn Co., Iowa; Clara is Mrs. Strite, of Springville, Iowa; Eva is Mrs. Lord, of Winston, Mo.; John F. lives in Iowa.

            The Doctor and his wife have one child now living, Ada L. They have a pleasant, attractive home, to which they welcome their numerous friends with genial hospitality.

            The portrait presented in this connection of Dr. Brooks will be highly appreciated by a large number of personal friends, who comprise the best people in the county.

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