J. B. BROOKS "...was reared and educated [in Randolph County, MO] and when old enough became a farmer and later a [coal] miner..."

Ben and Mollie married March 20, 1864 in Macon County, Missouri.

"There were eleven children in the BROOKS family..."
Children:
1. Martha Elizabeth "Mattie" "Lizzie" BROOKS
2. James Robert "Jim" BROOKS (see link)
3. Harriet J. "Hattie" BROOKS
4. William R. BROOKS
5. Frank L. BROOKS (see link)
6. Maud B. BROOKS
7. Charles F. "Charley" BROOKS
8. Linnes E. BROOKS
9. Myrtle May (BROOKS) STEVENS
Find A Grave Memorial# 36506459
10. Clarence S. BROOKS
11. Roy Erwin BROOKS (see link)

He was a charter member of Lodge No. 225 A.O.U.W organized in Renick, Randolph County, MO. November 11, 1881.

"Moberly Evening Democrat June 14, 1920 Jos. M. Brooks died Suddenly Yesterday--A quick painless death came to this veteran citizen at the age of 75 years.
Joseph B. Brooks died yesterday morning at 10:45 A.M. at the home of his daughter, Mrs. R. C. Pigg of 1141 North Morley Street.
Mr Brooks had not been very well for some time but was feeling about as usual and was up and around the house. He had been out of doors and started to go back into the house and just as he reached the door suffered a stroke of apoplexy which closed his life at the age of 75 years.
He had been a citizen of Moberly for a long period of years. He was a member of the Baptist Church, of the Masonic Lodge at College Mound and the Odd Fellows in Moberly.
He is survived by his wife; six sons; J.R. Brooks Cairo; C.F. Brooks, Wyoming, F.L., L.E., C.W., and R.E. Brooks Moberly, four daughters, Mrs. R.C. Pigg, Mrs H.R. Scott Kirksville; Mrs A.W. Lingo, Temple Texas, Mrs Ross Stephen, Silby Texas, two brothers M.M. Brooks near Clark: J.W. Brooks, Kingman Kansas. The funeral service will be held tomorrow morning at 9:30 o'clock at the First Baptist church conducted by Rev. Lamb. Interment in Oakland under the auspicis of the Masons and Odd Fellows."