Brooks was born in Bordentown, New Jersey, March 10, 1784, son of William Brooks. Prior to the War of 1812, he migrated to Kentucky, where he joined Colonel Richard M. Johnson mount regiment which fought at the Battle of the Thames. Returning to Kentucky, he was commissioned a lieutenant in the U.S. Army and saw action on the lower Mississippi. He became a captain in 1826 and resigned June 6, 1827. He served as colonel in the First Regiment of Michigan Militia during the Black Hawk War. In 1817 he had married Margaret, daughter of James May of Detroit. Here the couple resided, and eleven children were born. Brooks had a store, was public auctioneer, U.S. collector of customs in Detroit, 1841-1845., was active in the campaign for William Henry Harrison, was indicted for assaulting Lieutenant Governor Edward Mundy in 1840, was on the Board of Directors for the Female Seminary, and Alderman at large. In 1858 he removed to Washington, where he held a government appoint until his death, September 19, 1859. (from Detroit Free Press, Sept. 23, 1859; Denissen. "Genealogies" ; Heitman. Reg. U.S. Army ; Palmer SB 1:77;3:149.) (blue index cards.)
From the description of Edward E. Brooks correspondence, 1843 (Detroit Public Library). WorldCat record id: 319425228
