BROOKS FAMILY HISTORY - Interactive Family Histories

7-382 INTERACTIVE FAMILY HISTORIESROBERT WESLEY BROOKS (5) is the son of Francis Asberry Brooks (3) andRhoda (Hill) Brooks. Robert was born on January 1, 1876 near Wimberley inHays County, Texas. Robert was often referred to as “Riddle Brooks.” Aroundthe age of 15, Robert left home and worked as a ranch hand for Frank Dyer.While there, he met Mrs. Dyer’s sister, Julia Ann Bryan, whom he later married.In 1898, Robert homesteaded a farm located four miles east of Elk City inWashita County, Oklahoma. He and his brother, Ben, also drilled water wellsfor the early settlers of western Oklahoma. In 1898 or 1899, Robert contractedtyphoid fever and almost died near Weatherford, Oklahoma. He made his plansfor marriage by mail and on October 15, 1899, Robert Wesley Brooks marriedJulia Ann Bryan in Hillsboro, Hill County, Texas. Julia Ann Bryan was born onApril 28, 1878 in Brandon, Texas and is the daughter of Finus Ewing Bryan andCaledonia Ann (Revere) Bryan, both direct ancestors of the authors. For additionalinformation on the Bryan family, see the section on the Bryan Family History.After their marriage, Julia joined Robert at his homestead near Elk City,Oklahoma. Until their house was completed, they lived in a half dug-out (halfthe house was under ground level). At this time, the nearest town where suppliesand food could be bought was Weatherford which was 45 miles away. Around trip took two days by wagon. In 1900, Robert and Julia Brooks were livingin Washita County, Oklahoma. While living on their homestead farm, Robertand Julia Brooks donated part of their land to the county so that a schoolcould be built. The Pleasant Valley Grade School was built there and all of theirchildren attended this school through eighth grade. Robert and Julia Brookswere the parents of six children:............Benjamin Conrad Brooks (5.1), b. August 11, 1901, Washita County, Oklahoma............Bryan Franklin Brooks (5.2), b. January 29, 1904, Washita County, Oklahoma............Russell Frazier Brooks, b. January 13, 1909, Washita County, Oklahoma............Everett Robert Brooks (5.4), b. November 20, 1912, Washita County, Oklahoma............Ethel Bernice Brooks (6), b. May 1, 1919, Washita County, Oklahoma............Oma Birch Brooks (5.6), b. May 1, 1919, Washita County, OklahomaIn 1946, Robert Brooks retired from active farming and his son, Everett, continuedto farm his homestead. At that time, Robert and Julia Brooks moved intoElk City, Oklahoma. Robert Wesley Brooks died on January 25, 1951 in ElkCity, Oklahoma and Julia (Bryan) Brooks died on May 3, 1961 in Elk City,Oklahoma. Both were buried in the Canute Cemetery in Washita County,Oklahoma. Russell Frazier Brooks died of a heart disease on November 11,1909.References: 1) Marriage License, R. W. Brooks and Julia A. Bryan, 1899; 2) 1900 and1920 Censuses, Washita County, Oklahoma; 3) Family Group Sheet, by Bernice Casey,April 22, 1976; 4) Family Records, by Bernice Casey, 1980Photograph, Robert Wesley Brooks and Julia Ann (Bryan) BrooksPhotograph, Family of Robert Wesley Brooks