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WILLIAM L. BROOKS

            WILLIAM L. BROOKS, connected with the industrial interests of Plumstead, where his ability in mechanical lines has retained him in one position for thirty-eight years, was born in Langhorne, Bucks county, October 31, 1837.  His father, Abram BROOKS, was born in Middletown township, Bucks county, about 1814, and in early life learned the millwright’s trade, which he followed for many years.  He married Lydia VANHORN, and their children were: John; Ellen, wife of Kirkbride LARUE:  Elizabeth, wife of Albert MITCHELL; William L.; Lydia Ann, wife of Edward McMULLEN; Thomas; Henry; Howard; and Frank.

            William L. BROOKS is entirely a self-made man, and through his inherent force of character, strong determination and unfaltering diligence has gained a good living and made for himself an honorable name in industrial circles.   When he was only seven years of age he was bound out to George ETTENGER, with whom he remained for six years.  He then went to live with Anthony SCOTT, and after two years, entered the employ of George FLOWERS, occupying that position for a year.  He next began learning the blacksmith’s trade with Charles B. RIDGE, with whom he worked until about twenty-two years of age.  Removing at that time to Doylestown, he was for eighteen months employed by William BRUNER, and afterward worked for one year for George BROOKS.  The following year was passed in the employ of Hiram ELY, at New Hope, Pennsylvania, and, removing to Centerville, Pennsylvania, he carried on business on his own account for two years.  He afterward spent four years as a blacksmith at Gardenville, Plumstead township, Bucks county, and in 1867 came to Plumsteadville, where he accepted a position with Aaron KRATZ as a carriage blacksmith.  He has remained in this position continuously since, working for nearly thirty-eights years in one shop, and no higher testimonial of his efficiency and reliability could be given.  In his political views Mr. BROOKS is a stalwart Democrat, but has never sought or desired office.  He wedded Miss Anna R. MARTINDALE, who died May 8, 1905.  Mr. and Mrs. BROOKS reared an adopted child, Emma J., a daughter of William MARTINDALE, and who became the wife of Lewis GRIERSON, of Philadelphia.

Text taken from page 593   

Davis, William W. H., A.M., History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania [New York-Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1905] Volume III

Transcribed October 2006 by Joan Lollis as part of the Bucks Co., Pa., Early Family Project, www.rootsweb.com/~pabucks/bucksindex.html

Published October 2006 on the Bucks County, Pa., USGenWeb pages at www.rootsweb.com/~pabucks/