From "HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY,"  Vol. I, pages 235-236.
Brant & Fuller, 1890.


DAVID R. BROOKS

David R. Brooks, general manager of the Wheeling Mining & 
Manufacturing company, first saw the light of day on the 17th day of 
February, 1851, in Wheeling, W. Va.  He is the son of R. T. Brooks, 
who was the leading confectioner of Wheeling during his life.  He was 
a native of Lancaster, Penn., and his parents were among the old 
revolutionary settlers of Pennsylvania. From Lancaster be went to 
Norfolk, Va., where he engaged in the oil business, later he removed 
to Steubenville, Ohio, and in 1850, came to Wheeling, where he 
resided until his death in 1860.  He learned the confectioner's trade 
in Lancaster and Philadelphia, and was engaged in that business the 
greater part of his life.  His wife was Elizabeth, daughter of James 
Taggart, who was born in Canada.  She is still living and resides in 
Wheeling.  Five children are the issue of this marriage: Susan C., 
wife of Mathew Carpenter, of Wheeling; D. R.; Agnes S., wife of L. H. 
Albright, of Wheeling; Mary J., wife of David Jorden, of Mingo 
Junction, and J. W. Brooks, of Wheeling.  D. R. Brooks was reared in 
Wheeling, and secured a common school education.  In 1868 he entered 
the service of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad company, serving an 
apprenticeship with them, working his way up to the position of 
assistant master mechanic of the company's shops at south Chicago.  
He resigned this place in 1876, and returned to Wheeling, where he 
went into the coal business in connection with S. H. and T. E. 
Kalsey, mining and shipping coal.  The firm of Kalsey, Brooks & Co., 
was succeeded by the firm of Kalsey & Brooks, T. E. Kalsey and the 
silent partner retiring.  In 1887, the latter firm was merged into 
the Wheeling Mining & Manufacturing company, which was a joint stock 
concern, incorporated under the laws of the state of West Virginia, 
by S. H. Kalsey, D. R. Brooks, J. W. Brooks, W. C. Jacobs and H. C. 
Richards.  The company was formed for the purpose of doing a general 
mining and contracting business.  D. R. and J. W.  Brooks are the 
original members now left.  Mr. Brooks has been very successful 
financially, he is interested in the South Side Coal company, the 
Benwood Coal company, and the Hobbs Glass company.  He is a member of 
Nelson lodge, No. 30, F. & A. M., Wheeling, Union chapter, No. 1, 
Wheeling commandery, No. 1, of the Knights Templar, and is also a 
member of the Builders' Exchange, and the Chamber of Commerce.  
October 13, 1874, he was married to the only daughter of Joshua 
Bodley, one of the most prominent and influential citizens of 
Wheeling during his lifetime;  he was also the father of Bodley 
Btothers, the large wagon manufacturers of Wheeling.  To the union of 
Mr. and Mrs. Brooks, two children have been born: Martha, deceased; 
and David.  Mrs. Brooks is a devout and active member of the Fourth 
Street Methodist Episcopal church of Wheeling. 


(Linda Fluharty)