Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-02-06
FRANCIs ". BROOKs.

HIS DEATH LAST EvEs1NG FROM PARALYSIS a
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
The death Of Mr.. Francis W. Brooks Of
this village occurred last evening at half past
after final illness of scarcely a months
duration. During the early part Of his sick
ness tdings of his condition we're anxously
sought by all in the community, and when it
became known that his recovery was not to
be hoped for a feeling of deep sadness per-
vaded the circles in which he was best known.
Mr.. Brooks was the sixth child Of the late
VIM. s. Brooks, well remembered as a promi-
nent and Influential citizen of this town and
of Chesterfield. N. II. He was born in Bos-
ton May II, 1921, during the residence Of his
parents in that city or its vicinity. In the
following August the family removed TO
Chesterfield, where the father was engaged
in the business Of cotton manufacture for
nearly 80 years. In 1889, however, be took
up his residence in Brattleboro and it was
probably at about this time, or year or two
before, that the boy Frank" went to Put
ney where he was the active, efficient clerk Of
Mr.. P. Il Chandler, now Of Chicago. "He
was the best clerk | ever had, says Mr.
Chandler in q letter written to a Brattleboro
friend when the news of Mr.. Brookss illness
reached MIN. After few years spent at Put
ney the young man went to New York city as
clerk in the large mercantile house of
Pierce Brooks. Bis health, however, new
er robust soon showed signs of breaking
down and he was sent by the firm on a voy.
age TO Europe where he spent some time
Soon after his return the firm showed their
confidence in him by sending him in the fall
OF 1874, to Alabama to settle a bankrupt es-
tate in which they had q large interest
The climate proved exactly suited 10
him, and here be soon grew strong aud well.
H. - Al. L a NJ
the two becoming at that time, and remain.
ing through life, warm and intimate
friends. 10 ls47 Mr.. Brooks entered into
business with Mr. Cabot in the firm Of Cabot
Tullis, Co.. in the city OF Wetumpka
Three years later the firm was dissolved, al.
though Mr.. Brooks remained there until 1852,
when he came north, and soon afterward, in
the same year, went to San Francisco and
became a member Of the firm OF Geo. j.
Brooks & Co, in the large paper business
which Mr.. Geo. j. Brooks had established
there two years before This house was the
largest in its line OF trade on the Pacific
coast, and from the time of its establishment
until the business was given up in 1865, the
firm steadily controlled the paper trade of
the coast. In addition to their paper business
the firm were agents for one OF the largest
firms Of New York type founders and carried
large quantities Of their goods in stock, and
were thus brought into intimate relations
with the printers and newspapers of all that
region. Their business was Away 8 held strict
ly free from speculation, and il was here by
legitimate business methods that both F. W.
Brooks, and his brother George j., accumu.
lated their handsome private fortunes.
Mr.. Brooks made as frequent visits to the
east as the transportation facilities Of that day
would permit, and il was on one OF these Wis
its, on June 20, 1855, that he was married to
Miss Matilda @. Smith of New York, who
with four daughters survives him. Eight
children in all we're born 10 them, two of
whom were sons. The death of one of these
took place during the trying steamer voyage
from Panama, while Mr.. and Mrs Brooks
were on their way back to the cast in 1865 at
ter the San Francisco business had been Civ.
en- up.
On his return to the Atlantic coast Mr..
Brooks came to Brattleboro and resided, liv-
ing for some time in the Chaplin homestead
on Asylum street. and afterward buying the
Folsom estate on the common, where the last
10 years of his life have been spent in leisure
ly enjoyment of his domestic life which was
of the happiest kind.
His fellow-townsmen knew him as a genial
oompanionabe man, interested in everything
which concerned the well being Of the COM
munity. To his intimate associates his per-
sonal qualities were happily and Justly sum
med up in the remark of an old Alabama
friend, who, speaking of him to mutual
friend years after he had left that section,
said, He was a splendid man." Ia this
one expression his qualities Of quick wit,
keen insight, oesn.cut ways aud general
good-felowship we're all summed up. To
his family he was all that q devoted husband
and father, with an honest pride in wife and
children, could be.
As has already been intimaled, Mr.. Brooks
never enjoyed robust physical health, but the
first intimation that anything was seriously
wrong with him came about one year ago.
when trouble about the heart was DEVELOPED
which, however seemed to yield to treatment
About month ago trip south was thought
desirable for him and he left for Fortress
Monroe accompanied by his daughter, Miss
Lille Brooks. Almost Immediately after his
arrival at that resort, however, symptoms of
paralysis developed, and a return home at
once was felt to be necessary. 1t was in Balt-
more on the return journey that his FIRST SCI r.
ure with paralysis occurred, but he was new
ertheless able to continue on his way home
and reached here in due time From this
time on his strength gradually weakened, and
his life at the last quietly faded out, the par.
alysis of his entire body becoming complete
within the last few days. Until the begin
ming Of this week his mind was bright and
clear, and his cheerfulness was maintained
VIZ consciousness lasted.
N family of eight children, Mr.. Geo. J.
Br0s, Mrs. f. Goodhue and Mrs. N. f.
Cabot are now the only survivors-three
brothers and one sister having died within the
past Ave or six years.
The funeral services of Mr.. Brooks will take
place from st. Miehaels (Episoopal) church
at o'clock on Sunday afternoon.