The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1914-10-17
PROMINENT BUSINESS MAN.
What Thomas L. Brooks Has Accom-
pIished In Frankfort. Ky.

VHas SESoNo EISO HoSSVU-
plished In Frankfort, Ky.
Frankfort, Ky.-One Of the most
prominent and successful Negro con-
tractors and builders Of the south is
Mr.. Thomas L. Brooks Of this city.
Mr.. Brooks is a native Of Virginia. but
has spent the greater part of his life
in Kentucky, having lived here for over
thirty-two years. While he has con-
tracted and built extensively through
out eastern Kentucky. 1t has been In
r-ankfort that he has made his chief
mark.
Some Of the most beautiful and cost
ly edifices. scattered all over the CAPT.
tai city and with values running up
into the thousands. are the products
Of his brain and skill IL can also be
truthfully stated that fully 90 per cent
Of his work has been for white people
and against the sharp oppo' ition Of
white competitors. Over one-half Of
the residences of the celebrated Wat
son court, the most exclusive and
handsome section Of Frankfort, were
built by Mr.. Brooks. The Columbia
theater, a $4,000 structure and the
leading and most attractive moving
picture theater Of the city, Is also his
work.
The auditorium and the trades build
ing Of the Kentucky Normal and In
dustrial institutos which woro- eroatad
at cost Of $4,000, were also contract
ed for and built by this able contrac-
tor. 1t is an object Of pride that both
Of these handsome stone buildings
were built exclusively by Negro labor
The $4,000 Odd Fellows building for
our people and the $4,000 Baptist
church were also erected under Mr..
Brooks immediate supervision.
He has high standing among the
banks and business men Of Frankfort,
has accumulated much valuable prop
erty and his word Is accepted as read
fly as most mems bond. He 10 held
in the very highest esUeem by both
races and is easily one Of the most
popular men in the capital city.
He takes high rank as a churchman,
being one Of the most widely known
Baptist laymen In Kentucky. He has
been a Sunday school superintendent
for twenty years, a trustee for sixteen
years. deacon for four years and
was church clerk for over four years.
Mr.. Brooks is also prominent Sc
cret society man. He has been secre-
tary Of the Capital City lodge Of Odd
Fellows for twenty-four years, has
been frequently a delegate to the B.
NJ. G. and has served his state most
acceptably as grand master. He was
the pioneer advocate Of Negro frater-
nal insurance in Kentucky, having
submitted a plan for same to the Ken
lucky grand lodge Of Odd Fellows
over twenty-five years ago. This is
the first record Of any suggestion or
attempt at endowment in any colored
grand lodge In Kentucky.
He also holds high official position
in the Masons, Knights Of Pythias and
United Brothers Of Friendship and is
a member Of the Union Benevolent so
ciety and the Mosaic Templars Of
America. He possesses an affable
temperament, upright life and high
Christian character, and, with an In.
tense interest in the welfare and ad-
vancement of his people, he takes keen
interest In civic affairs and Is .w1thal
a public spirited citizen, a conserva-
five and coura geous leader Of his race