James Albert Brooks was the son of Harvy Brooks and Mary Jane Brooks.

James Albert Brooks married Mahala Almeda Roberts on 29 May 1859 in Knox County, Tennessee. She was the daughter of Benjamin Franklin Roberts and Mary "Polly" Berry.

James was a Blacksmith, but later he owned a dry good store in Oliver Springs, Tennessee.

James and Mahala had 5 children:

(1)Benjamin Newton Brooks Rev.(1862–1922)
(2)Mary Jane "Molly" Brooks Williams(1866–1953)
(3)Martha A Brooks (1868–1879)
(4)Unknown infant born and died (abt 1874)
(5)James "Harvey" Brooks(1877–1905)

Family stories told were that Mahala was quite a character, set in her ways and independent in her dress and actions. Some family members say she was so mean no one could stand to live with her. After the children were grown in 1891 James Albert Brooks and Mahala Roberts Brooks separated (they never divorced). James Albert Brooks moved to Oliver Springs, Roane, Tennessee and Mahala lived in the Benjamin Franklin Roberts homeplace in Thorn Grove, Knox, Tennessee.

The Evening Sentinel (Knoxville, Tennessee)
29 Apr 1891, Wed Page 1
MYSTERIOUSLY MISSING
James A. Brooks, of Thorn Grove has Left Home.
The people residing in the vicinity of Thorn Grove, this county, are excited over the mysterious disappearance from their midst of James A. Brooks. He has not been seen by any one residing in that section since last Friday.
On that day Brooks was met by an acquaintance a few miles from his home, walking, apparently in great trouble. When addressed, Brooks spoke in his usual friendly style and asked if he was on the right road to the Cumberland Gap railroad. Brooks is a well known and highly respected farmer aged about 50 years. He has a gray beard and hair and is of medium stature. When he left home he wore a blue coat and pair of brown trousers. There is no definite cause assigned for the departure of Brooks, but his absence is believed to be the result of domestic troubles. During the past few years of his life Brooks has been apparently happy and doing well. The theory of suicide advanced by some is not thought to be correct.

James Albert Brooks retired as a Blacksmith when he moved to Oliver Springs, Roane, Tennessee and opened a dry goods store.

The Brooks Store Building with side rooms for living quarters was located on Estabrook between the Post Office and the Williams home. His daughter Mary Jane "Molly" Brooks married Josiah "Joseph" Jackson Williams (called "J.J." or Joe) in 1892 in Oliver Springs, Tennessee. J.J. Williams was the son of Rev. Samuel Manley Williams and Francis Jane Jackson. When Molly and J.J. married J.J. had a 3 year old daughter Maude E Williams born Oct 1888 in Oliver Springs, Tennessee. Maude was the daughter of J.J. and his first wife Arabella L. "Belle" Gallaher who died Jan. 27, 1891 in Tennessee.

Mahala lived in the Benjamin Franklin Roberts homeplace in Thorn Grove, Knox, Tennessee. The land from Benjamin Roberts was first deeded to James Albert Brooks and Mahala Roberts Brooks, then to James Harvey Brooks and his wife Dora (Hoskins) Brooks if they would take care of Mahala until she died. Mahala was living alone when she died on 5 Oct. 1903, but the house had been sold to Mack Atchley in 1898, by James Harvey Brooks and his wife Dora (Hoskins) Brooks.

Their son James Harvey Brooks, called "Harvey" was killed in a train wreak 28 Jul 1905 .Knoxville Sentinel (Knoxville, Tennessee)----- 29 Jul 1905, Sat Page 17----- FIREMAN KILLED----- AND ENGINEER SCALDED---- FATAL WRECK NEAR JELLICO--- ON KNOXVILLE & OHIO LINE---. ENGINE AND THREE CARS--- DERAILED AND DITCHED.---- HOME OF DEAD MAN AT OLIVER SPRINGS.---- INJURED ENGINEER HAS HOME AT LONSDALE.---- Wrecker went from Knoxville to--- Clear Debris Shortly After Wreak---- Occurred Friday Night.---- Cause Unknown.---- A local freight train, No. 67, running between Knoxville and Jellico, was ditched on the Knoxville & Ohio railroad branch of the Southern system, two miles south of Jellico about 6 o'clock Friday night, 28 Jul 1905.------ JAMES H. BROOKS, of Oliver Springs, a fireman, met instant death in the smash-up. Joe Smith, of Lonsdale, the engineer, was badly scalded. The other members of the crew escaped without serious accident.----- The origin of the accident is unknown. It is thought to have been due, however, to a faulty wheel. The train, which was northbound, was making a speed of ten or fifteen miles an hour when the accident occurred. Suddenly, without warning, the engine which was running backward, left the track and turned completely over, going down a twenty-five foot hill.----- The box cars which were being drawn by the locomotive, then left the track and three of them were wrecked. The derailment occurred on a sharp curve, south if the Southern railway crossing on Elk Fork creek.----- JAMES H. BROOKS, the fireman, was buried under the wreck of the locomotive. His body was recovered about ten o'clock Friday night. It was frightfully mangled, the head being severed from the body.------ Engineer Smith was caught by the demolished engine. He succeeded in extricating himself, but not before he was badly scalded. Mr. Smith's arms, hands, and face were scalded by escaping steam and he was slightly bruised.------ The train was in charge of Wm. T. Blanchard, conductor, of Knoxville. He succeeded in escaping without any injuries. He lives at No. 985 North Central street.----- The Southern railway "wrecker" left Knoxville early Friday night for the scene of the wreck. It arrived at Elk's Fork creek about 10 o'clock, began its work and the debris was cleared in time for the Jellico-Knoxville passenger train to leave Jellico on time this morning.----- Engineer Smith was taken to Jellico Friday night, and placed in the care of physicians of that place. He was reported as suffering considerable pain today but it is thought his injuries will not prove fatal.--- The dead body of the unfortunate fireman was also taken to Jellico Friday night and prepared for burial. MR. BROOKS' family was notified. He leaves a widow and three children.------ It was reported that Mr. Smith lived at Coal Creek. Officials of the Southern, however, say that his home was at Oliver Springs. Officials of the Southern in this city confirm the report of the wreck, saying that the cause of the derailment is unknown.

After the death of James "Harvey", his widow Dora and the children James Britton Brooks; Ruth A Brooks and George Johnson "John" Brooks lived for a while with Grandpoppy (James Albert Brooks). Dora Hoskins Brooks and the 3 children left Oliver Springs for Oklahoma with a John Mead family. This would have been before WWI.

Their son Benjamin Newton Brooks married Evaline Mathis "Eva" Long the daughter of Abner "Jobe" Long Sr. (he was called Jobe) and Mary Matilda Russell, she was called "Polly". Benjamin was a Blacksmith, a trade he had learned from his father, but in 1880 Ben and Eva moved to Jefferson City, Tennessee where Benjamin attended Mossy Creek Missionary Baptist Seminary (now Carson Newman University) to become a minister. As a Baptist Evangelist, Benjamin, Eva and their children moved often living in Tennessee, Arkansas, Dade City, Florida and Georgia. Rev. Benjamin Newton Brooks died May 30, 1922 in Ringgold, Catoosa County, Georgia. Their children were: Job Brooks (1879-1880); Arthur Nathaniel Brooks, Mary Almeda "Meda" Brooks Crawford; Bessie Matilda Brooks Burk, Creed Flavious Brooks, Bonnie "Grace" Brooks Eades, Margaret Faye Brooks Black Roach.

J.J. Williams first ran a livery stable around the turn of the century when Oliver Springs was a nationally known watering spa. He was a Deputy Sheriff at one time. After Grandpoppy (James Albert Brooks) retired sometime between 1910 and 1920, J.J. Williams ran a funeral home for a short period in the Brooks Store building, and then set up a meat market in the same building.

Maude E Williams, married Frank Cooper and had four children: Margaret Belle Cooper, Josephine Cooper(1912-1914),Mildred L Cooper, & Joseph "Joe" Cooper). Frank and Maude moved to Washington State abt 1911 & then Canada in 1916. Maude died when their fourth child (Joseph) was born on 29 Aug 1917 in Alberta, Canada Molly and J.J. Williams went to Canada and brought the children back to Oliver Srings where they lived with them.

Mildred Cooper was 6 years old when she died in 1922; she got food poisoning from Mince Meat pie.

Grandpoppy (James Albert Brooks), died on 10 Jan 1924 in Oliver Springs, Roane, Tennessee

J.J. Williams met a tragic death on 8 Feb. 1930. He was walking on the R.R. track in Oliver Springs and was hit by a steam engine going at a very fast speed and was killed instantly. Mary Jane "Molly" Brooks Williams lived on as a widow for a number of years in Oliver Springs until after both grandchildren Margaret Belle Cooper & Joseph "Joe" Cooper) were gone.

Mary Jane "Molly" Brooks Williams died on 10 Aug 1953 at the home of her step-granddaughter Margaret Belle Cooper Bauman in Covington, Kenton, Kentucky.

Margaret Belle married Alexander Allen Bauman a Railroad Depot Agent from Kentucky. Margaret Belle died 1 May 1998 in Covington, Kenton, Kentucky.

Joseph "Joe" Williams Cooper married Freda E Fulmer and they moved to Visalia, Tulare, California. Joe died there on 12 Mar 2005.

Death Certificate for James Albert Brooks
Certificate Number: 138
Name: James Albert Brooks
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age: 85
Birth Date: 12 Oct 1838
Birth Place: Tennessee, USA
Death Date: 10 Jan 1924
Death Place: Oliver Springs, Roane, Tennessee, USA
Burial: Oliver Springs Cemetery; Kelley Town, Roane County, Tennessee
Father: Harvy Brooks, Birthplace: Unknown
Mother: Mary Jane Brooks, Birthplace: Tennessee
Informant: Mrs. J.J. Williams * Address: Oliver Springs, Tenn.
NOTE: Informant: Mrs. J. J. Williams (Mary Jane "Mollie" Brooks, daughter of James Albert Brooks and Mahala Almeda Roberts Brooks, wife of Joseph Jackson Williams).
NOTE: Source: 1880, 1900, 1910 and 1920 Census of James Albert Brooks shows Father's Birthplace: Tennessee and Mother's Birthplace: Tennessee.

Bio By Sharon Brooks Brimmer the great great granddaughter of James Albert Brooks and Mahala Almeda Roberts.

James Albert Brooks was the son of Harvy Brooks and Mary Jane Brooks.

James Albert Brooks married Mahala Almeda Roberts on 29 May 1859 in Knox County, Tennessee. She was the daughter of Benjamin Franklin Roberts and Mary "Polly" Berry.

James was a Blacksmith, but later he owned a dry good store in Oliver Springs, Tennessee.

James and Mahala had 5 children:

(1)Benjamin Newton Brooks Rev.(1862–1922)
(2)Mary Jane "Molly" Brooks Williams(1866–1953)
(3)Martha A Brooks (1868–1879)
(4)Unknown infant born and died (abt 1874)
(5)James "Harvey" Brooks(1877–1905)

Family stories told were that Mahala was quite a character, set in her ways and independent in her dress and actions. Some family members say she was so mean no one could stand to live with her. After the children were grown in 1891 James Albert Brooks and Mahala Roberts Brooks separated (they never divorced). James Albert Brooks moved to Oliver Springs, Roane, Tennessee and Mahala lived in the Benjamin Franklin Roberts homeplace in Thorn Grove, Knox, Tennessee.

The Evening Sentinel (Knoxville, Tennessee)
29 Apr 1891, Wed Page 1
MYSTERIOUSLY MISSING
James A. Brooks, of Thorn Grove has Left Home.
The people residing in the vicinity of Thorn Grove, this county, are excited over the mysterious disappearance from their midst of James A. Brooks. He has not been seen by any one residing in that section since last Friday.
On that day Brooks was met by an acquaintance a few miles from his home, walking, apparently in great trouble. When addressed, Brooks spoke in his usual friendly style and asked if he was on the right road to the Cumberland Gap railroad. Brooks is a well known and highly respected farmer aged about 50 years. He has a gray beard and hair and is of medium stature. When he left home he wore a blue coat and pair of brown trousers. There is no definite cause assigned for the departure of Brooks, but his absence is believed to be the result of domestic troubles. During the past few years of his life Brooks has been apparently happy and doing well. The theory of suicide advanced by some is not thought to be correct.

James Albert Brooks retired as a Blacksmith when he moved to Oliver Springs, Roane, Tennessee and opened a dry goods store.

The Brooks Store Building with side rooms for living quarters was located on Estabrook between the Post Office and the Williams home. His daughter Mary Jane "Molly" Brooks married Josiah "Joseph" Jackson Williams (called "J.J." or Joe) in 1892 in Oliver Springs, Tennessee. J.J. Williams was the son of Rev. Samuel Manley Williams and Francis Jane Jackson. When Molly and J.J. married J.J. had a 3 year old daughter Maude E Williams born Oct 1888 in Oliver Springs, Tennessee. Maude was the daughter of J.J. and his first wife Arabella L. "Belle" Gallaher who died Jan. 27, 1891 in Tennessee.

Mahala lived in the Benjamin Franklin Roberts homeplace in Thorn Grove, Knox, Tennessee. The land from Benjamin Roberts was first deeded to James Albert Brooks and Mahala Roberts Brooks, then to James Harvey Brooks and his wife Dora (Hoskins) Brooks if they would take care of Mahala until she died. Mahala was living alone when she died on 5 Oct. 1903, but the house had been sold to Mack Atchley in 1898, by James Harvey Brooks and his wife Dora (Hoskins) Brooks.

Their son James Harvey Brooks, called "Harvey" was killed in a train wreak 28 Jul 1905 .Knoxville Sentinel (Knoxville, Tennessee)----- 29 Jul 1905, Sat Page 17----- FIREMAN KILLED----- AND ENGINEER SCALDED---- FATAL WRECK NEAR JELLICO--- ON KNOXVILLE & OHIO LINE---. ENGINE AND THREE CARS--- DERAILED AND DITCHED.---- HOME OF DEAD MAN AT OLIVER SPRINGS.---- INJURED ENGINEER HAS HOME AT LONSDALE.---- Wrecker went from Knoxville to--- Clear Debris Shortly After Wreak---- Occurred Friday Night.---- Cause Unknown.---- A local freight train, No. 67, running between Knoxville and Jellico, was ditched on the Knoxville & Ohio railroad branch of the Southern system, two miles south of Jellico about 6 o'clock Friday night, 28 Jul 1905.------ JAMES H. BROOKS, of Oliver Springs, a fireman, met instant death in the smash-up. Joe Smith, of Lonsdale, the engineer, was badly scalded. The other members of the crew escaped without serious accident.----- The origin of the accident is unknown. It is thought to have been due, however, to a faulty wheel. The train, which was northbound, was making a speed of ten or fifteen miles an hour when the accident occurred. Suddenly, without warning, the engine which was running backward, left the track and turned completely over, going down a twenty-five foot hill.----- The box cars which were being drawn by the locomotive, then left the track and three of them were wrecked. The derailment occurred on a sharp curve, south if the Southern railway crossing on Elk Fork creek.----- JAMES H. BROOKS, the fireman, was buried under the wreck of the locomotive. His body was recovered about ten o'clock Friday night. It was frightfully mangled, the head being severed from the body.------ Engineer Smith was caught by the demolished engine. He succeeded in extricating himself, but not before he was badly scalded. Mr. Smith's arms, hands, and face were scalded by escaping steam and he was slightly bruised.------ The train was in charge of Wm. T. Blanchard, conductor, of Knoxville. He succeeded in escaping without any injuries. He lives at No. 985 North Central street.----- The Southern railway "wrecker" left Knoxville early Friday night for the scene of the wreck. It arrived at Elk's Fork creek about 10 o'clock, began its work and the debris was cleared in time for the Jellico-Knoxville passenger train to leave Jellico on time this morning.----- Engineer Smith was taken to Jellico Friday night, and placed in the care of physicians of that place. He was reported as suffering considerable pain today but it is thought his injuries will not prove fatal.--- The dead body of the unfortunate fireman was also taken to Jellico Friday night and prepared for burial. MR. BROOKS' family was notified. He leaves a widow and three children.------ It was reported that Mr. Smith lived at Coal Creek. Officials of the Southern, however, say that his home was at Oliver Springs. Officials of the Southern in this city confirm the report of the wreck, saying that the cause of the derailment is unknown.

After the death of James "Harvey", his widow Dora and the children James Britton Brooks; Ruth A Brooks and George Johnson "John" Brooks lived for a while with Grandpoppy (James Albert Brooks). Dora Hoskins Brooks and the 3 children left Oliver Springs for Oklahoma with a John Mead family. This would have been before WWI.

Their son Benjamin Newton Brooks married Evaline Mathis "Eva" Long the daughter of Abner "Jobe" Long Sr. (he was called Jobe) and Mary Matilda Russell, she was called "Polly". Benjamin was a Blacksmith, a trade he had learned from his father, but in 1880 Ben and Eva moved to Jefferson City, Tennessee where Benjamin attended Mossy Creek Missionary Baptist Seminary (now Carson Newman University) to become a minister. As a Baptist Evangelist, Benjamin, Eva and their children moved often living in Tennessee, Arkansas, Dade City, Florida and Georgia. Rev. Benjamin Newton Brooks died May 30, 1922 in Ringgold, Catoosa County, Georgia. Their children were: Job Brooks (1879-1880); Arthur Nathaniel Brooks, Mary Almeda "Meda" Brooks Crawford; Bessie Matilda Brooks Burk, Creed Flavious Brooks, Bonnie "Grace" Brooks Eades, Margaret Faye Brooks Black Roach.

J.J. Williams first ran a livery stable around the turn of the century when Oliver Springs was a nationally known watering spa. He was a Deputy Sheriff at one time. After Grandpoppy (James Albert Brooks) retired sometime between 1910 and 1920, J.J. Williams ran a funeral home for a short period in the Brooks Store building, and then set up a meat market in the same building.

Maude E Williams, married Frank Cooper and had four children: Margaret Belle Cooper, Josephine Cooper(1912-1914),Mildred L Cooper, & Joseph "Joe" Cooper). Frank and Maude moved to Washington State abt 1911 & then Canada in 1916. Maude died when their fourth child (Joseph) was born on 29 Aug 1917 in Alberta, Canada Molly and J.J. Williams went to Canada and brought the children back to Oliver Srings where they lived with them.

Mildred Cooper was 6 years old when she died in 1922; she got food poisoning from Mince Meat pie.

Grandpoppy (James Albert Brooks), died on 10 Jan 1924 in Oliver Springs, Roane, Tennessee

J.J. Williams met a tragic death on 8 Feb. 1930. He was walking on the R.R. track in Oliver Springs and was hit by a steam engine going at a very fast speed and was killed instantly. Mary Jane "Molly" Brooks Williams lived on as a widow for a number of years in Oliver Springs until after both grandchildren Margaret Belle Cooper & Joseph "Joe" Cooper) were gone.

Mary Jane "Molly" Brooks Williams died on 10 Aug 1953 at the home of her step-granddaughter Margaret Belle Cooper Bauman in Covington, Kenton, Kentucky.

Margaret Belle married Alexander Allen Bauman a Railroad Depot Agent from Kentucky. Margaret Belle died 1 May 1998 in Covington, Kenton, Kentucky.

Joseph "Joe" Williams Cooper married Freda E Fulmer and they moved to Visalia, Tulare, California. Joe died there on 12 Mar 2005.

Death Certificate for James Albert Brooks
Certificate Number: 138
Name: James Albert Brooks
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age: 85
Birth Date: 12 Oct 1838
Birth Place: Tennessee, USA
Death Date: 10 Jan 1924
Death Place: Oliver Springs, Roane, Tennessee, USA
Burial: Oliver Springs Cemetery; Kelley Town, Roane County, Tennessee
Father: Harvy Brooks, Birthplace: Unknown
Mother: Mary Jane Brooks, Birthplace: Tennessee
Informant: Mrs. J.J. Williams * Address: Oliver Springs, Tenn.
NOTE: Informant: Mrs. J. J. Williams (Mary Jane "Mollie" Brooks, daughter of James Albert Brooks and Mahala Almeda Roberts Brooks, wife of Joseph Jackson Williams).
NOTE: Source: 1880, 1900, 1910 and 1920 Census of James Albert Brooks shows Father's Birthplace: Tennessee and Mother's Birthplace: Tennessee.

Bio By Sharon Brooks Brimmer the great great granddaughter of James Albert Brooks and Mahala Almeda Roberts.