Hi - This is a connection of mine and I would like to add his obit

BIO

From "Miss Allie Abernathy's Scrapbooks, 1893 - 1923" page 420:

MR. JAMES T. BROOKS
DIES AT GADSEN HOME

Gadsen, Jan. 16.-Capt. Jas. T. Brooks, one of the best known men in this
section of north Alabama, and a former offive holder, who has been employed
in the probate office up to within the last week, died at his home, here
this morning, aged 80 years. He is survived by his widow and two daughters,
Mrs. R. B. Talliaferro and Mrs. C.P. Butcher, all of Gadsden.

James Thomas Brooks was born December 22, 1840 at LafAyette, Chambers
county, Ala. He was a son of James and Sallie Traylor Brooks [Should be
grandson]. His mother was Malinda Robinson, daughter of Thomas and Sarah
Loyd Robinson, the father a native of Georgia and the mother of Virginia.
James Brooks, father of the deceased, served with his brother, Paschal, in
the war of 1812.

Mr. Brooks received his early education in the schools of Chambers county,
entered the Methodist college at Auburn during the first term in 1859 and
attended until 1861. He then enlisted on March 22 in Company A, Seventh
Alabama regiment.

In 1862 he was made lieutenant and retained that office until the close of
the war, often acting as captain of the company. In 1865 he began the
manufacture of tin [very hard to read this paragraph] and engaged in the
mercantile business for four years. In 1870 he moved to Gadsden and was
elected register in chancery.

He served as register in chancery for Etowah country from 1870 to 1886. He
was clerk of the circuit court from 1886 to 1888 and clerk of the city court
beginning with the year 1891 and for several years. He was also mayor of
Gadsden from 1882 to 1885. He had been a prominet Chapt----, Mason and
Knights Templor, -- Mystic Shriner, Odd Fellow, -- of P. K. of H.and G. E.

He was married April --- 1866 to Miss Fannie Smith, daughter of John C. and
Sarah (Reed) Smith, a former wealthy banker.

* * * * * *

From "Miss Allie Abernathy's Scrapbooks, 1893 - 1923" page 421:

Captain James T. Brooks.
We, the sons and daughters of the veterans of Company I, 37th Alabama
Regiment, were saddened as the news of the death of Captain James T. Brooks.

He was mustered into service at LaFayette, Alabama, March 6, 1862, as a
private, was later appointed third lieutenant, but served often as captain,
and was generally known as Captain Brooks.

His goodness and loyalty of heart drew all men to him. I never knew him
personally, but really quite well through my father. I can readily recall
the smile and the flashed of pride and pleasure that lighted his face at the
mention of Captain Brooks and especially when readingthe letters that he
never forgot to write to his boyhood home paper and father's invariable
comment was , "I don't suppose a better man than Captain Jimmie Brooks ever
lived."

He must have possessed all the attributes of a good man is why he was so
beloved.

In the passing of my father, the late M.P. McCarley, a few years ago,
Captain Brooks paid his the tribute of being a Christian man, a valiant
soldier and a true Mason, so it is fitting that I should convey to those
near and dear to him our tenderest sysmpathy and loving regard and high
esteem in which we hold the memory of Captain Jimmie Brooks.

IRENE McCARLEY

From "Miss Allie Abernathy's Scrapbooks, 1893 - 1923" page 319

The Re-Union at Gadsden

Mr. D.H.B. Abernathy, Mr. Sam Abernathy, and Mr. D. M. Spence and Mr. W.W.
Still attended the Confederate Veteran's Re-union at Gadsden last week.
They report a most delightful time; the old veterans received every possible
attention and nothing was left undone for their comfort. Mr. J.C. Griffin,
though not an old veteran, does not often fail to attend the re-union. He
had a pleasant visit to Capt. Jas. T. Brooks and family, who were in the
long ago highly esteemed residents of LaFayette. Capt. Brooks made many
enquiries about old friends in LaFayette and still retains a most tender
regard for the old town and its people.