Brooks, William Eugene, 1874-1958.

Arizona lawyer and state legislator.

William Eugene Brooks was born in 1874, in Alabama. He attended school at Yale, and served as a volunteer in the Spanish American War. Moving to Arizona in 1903, he settled in Globe. He represented Gila county in the first state legislature, from 1912-1915; upon re-election he became Speaker of the House. While in the legislature, he was involved in issues such as improving education and Arizona land and industrial development. He died in California in 1958.

From the description of Papers, 1897-1935. (Scottsdale Public Library). WorldCat record id: 19758233

William Eugene Brooks was born August 4, 1874, the son of Lyman Eugene and Anna Parker Merriam Brooks of Columbus, Georgia. The family moved to Worcester, Massachusetts, where William attended Worcester Academy and the Mount Hermon School for Boys. Brooks graduated from the Yale Law School, receiving his terminal degree in 1898. He served in the 22nd New York Volunteer Infantry during the Spanish American War.

Brooks came to the Arizona Territory and was admitted to the state bar in 1904. He was elected Representative to the First State Legislature in 1912 and was elected Speaker for the Second State Legislature in 1915. He maintained his private practice in Globe and Miami for over forty years, specializing in corporate, mining and property law. Brooks died unmarried at Colton, California on July 7, 1958.

From the guide to the William Eugene Brooks Letters, 1897-1915, (Arizona State University Libraries Arizona Collection)