John Brooks, real estate agent and land surveyor, P. O. Sinnemahoning, was born on a farm now in Lock Haven, Penn., June 17, 1814, and is a son of Benjamin and Mary (Wood) Brooks. His father was of English and Irish descent, a native of Bucks county, Penn., born in 1753; was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, and participated in the battles of Germantown and Brandywine. The mother of John was a native of Monmouth county, N. J., and of English and Welsh descent. They settled in what is now Gibson township, this county, in 1817, and engaged in clearing and improving a farm, on which his father died in 1839. Benjamin Brooks was twice married; his first wife was Elizabeth Harkins, by whom he had nine children: James, Joseph William, Benjamin, David, Rebecaa, Margaret, Jane and Mary; by his second wife (Mary Wood) he had two children: John and Washington. In 1876 Mr. Brooks had 450 descendants living mostly within twenty miles of Sinnemahoning. John Brooks was reared in Cameron county, Penn., from four years of age, and received from his mother his education. He learned surveying, which he has followed all his life, as well as lumbering extensively, and dealing largely in real estate. He married, in 1841, Martha, daughter of Joseph and Margaret (Grugan) Mason, who settled in Gibson township in 1811, and the issue of this union was ten children: Victor A., Mary (Mrs. D. J. Wykoff), Marcellus J. B., Locina (Mrs. Charles Barclay), Josephine (Mrs. J. D. Shirk), John W., Witfield M. (deceased), Flavius, Mishael N. and Ella M. Mr. Brooks is a prominent and influential citizen. He was one of the first commissioners of Elk county, Penn., and has served three terms in the State legislature. In politics he has always been a Republican.

This page was last updated on  Saturday, August 24, 2002.

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