Biographical Sketch of

Milo W. Brooks

Transcribed by Barbara Voss



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 499 - 500

Milo W. Brooks, the oldest merchant and one of the leading citizens of Dartford, was born in Winhall Township, 
Bennington Co., Vt., January 24, 1823 and was the fifth in order of birth in a family of eight children, whose 
parents were John and Lydia (Hale) Brooks. The Brooks family is of English descent and was established in America 
prior to the Revolutionary War. The grandfather of our subject, John Brooks, was born in Massachusetts but in an 
early day removed to Bennington County, Vt., being the second settler of Winhall Township. By occupation he was 
a farmer and while in the hay field the news reached him of the attack made by the British soldiers upon the 
Colonists. Leaving everything he rushed to the scene arriving just in time to participate in the battle of Bunker 
Hill. He then served throughout the entire war. He married Miss Rachel Taylor and unto them was born a family of 
five children, of whom John Brooks, father of our subject, was the youngest. Both parents remained in Vermont until 
their death. The maternal Grand father, Jacob Hale, was a native of the Green Mountain State and a teacher by 
profession, but with his family he removed to New York, settling in Onondaga County. Lydia was the eldest child.

John Brooks Jr. was born on the old homestead in Winhall Township; Bennington County on the 13th day of April 1792 
and on attaining to maturity wedded Lydia Hale who was born in the same place January 21, 1796. They became parents 
of eight children, but of that number only four are now living, two sons and two daughters. Mr. Brooks was a tanner 
and a shoemaker by trade, but his health failing him he abandoned that pursuit and for twenty years kept a hotel. 
He was a man of prominence and influence in the community where he made his home and served both as constable and 
collector for a great many years. In early life he supported the Whig Party but joined the Republican Party on its 
organization. In 1856 accompanied by his wife, he came to Green Lake County to make his home with our subject. His 
death occurred January 30, 1877 and his wife died September 22, 1878. Both were of the Universalist faith and were 
people of the highest respectability.

Milo W. Brooks, whose name heads this notice, received but limited educational advantages, being only permitted to 
attend the district schools for a few months during each year. He worked for his father until nineteen years of age, 
when he started out in life for himself and secured a position as superintendent of a large teaming business in which 
he was engaged for a year. By his industry and economy during that period he had accumulated some capital and now 
turned his attention to the butchering business which he carried on for two years. His next venture was as a carpenter. 
He served an apprenticeship to that trade which he then followed for fourteen years with good success. He began working 
for $13 per month, but ere he abandoned the business he was owner of a shop and had succeeded in building up an excellent 
trade.

A marriage ceremony performed on the 13th day of August 1846 united the destinies of Milo W. Brooks and Susan S. 
Aldredge, who was born January 12, 1825, just across the line in Connecticut. They remained in the East for some years, 
living in Massachusetts, New York and Vermont but in 1854 they determined to follow the course of emigration which was 
steadily flowing westward and landed in Green Lake County, where Mr. Brooks purchased 120 acres of land situated a mile 
and a half north of Dartford. He brought with him about $600 in �wild cat� money, but it was valued at only $375. 
Turning his attention to the cultivation of his farm he also engaged to some extent in lumbering and worked at his 
trade. In 1869, with H.G. Thomas as partner he established a merchandise store in Dartford. They had not been long 
engaged in business when Mr. Thomas sold his interest to Lester Clawson the connection continuing for some three years. 
Mr. Brooks was then alone in business until 1877 when he admitted his son John R., to partnership. Their store is one 
of long standing and has won the confidence of all its patrons who can rely upon the goods which they there buy as being 
just as represented. From the first their trade has constantly increased and they are now doing a good business.

To Mr. and Mrs. Brooks have been born three children, but only one is now living. John R., the youngest, who married 
Lueretia Higby and has six children, four sons and two daughters, Lucinda M. died at the age of twenty-two years and 
Horatio died when twenty eight years of age, leaving a wife and one child. 

For thirty five years Mr. Brooks has been a resident of Green Lake County and is one of its most highly respected 
citizens. He has held the office of collector, assessor and chairman of Dartford and in political sentiment is a 
Republican. Prior to the organization of that party he supported the Whig party, having cast his first Presidential 
vote for Henry Clay. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic fraternity and his wife belongs to the Congregational 
Church. Mr. Brooks has been very successful in his business transactions. He began life without capital and has worked 
for only 75 cents per day, boarding himself and keeping his team out of that amount. Step by step he has worked his way 
upward until he is now one of the prosperous citizens of the county, owning in connection with his store in Dartford, 
140 acres of land and a half interest on the Sheridan Mills, situated seven miles above Waupaca.
 





Back to the Marquette Pages Menu