Description

Hezekiah Brooks (b. 1825 – d. 1907) was born September 7, 1825 near Elyria, Ohio where he completed high school. He was the son of Hezekiah and Hannah (Johnson) Brooks. He farmed until 1850 when gold called him to California. He arrived in San Francisco by way of the Isthmus of Panama, prospected first on the south fork of the American River, later going to Colma and Greenwood Valley. From 1851-1854 he ran a merchandising business in Colma and acted as assistant postmaster. He pursued various business opportunities and became a citizen of San Francisco in 1861.

In October, 1863, Judge Brooks arrived in Prescott from Los Angeles in a party organized by George Lount. On May 30, 1864, he was appointed one of three commissioners who laid out and had charge of the sale of lots in Prescott. He was named by Governor John Noble Goodwin on June 18, 1864, as the first judge of the probate court of Yavapai County, which at the time comprised over half of the territory. He served until January 1, 1871.

He engaged in prospecting and mining, ranching and cattle raising, merchandising, and invested in various industries. He was initiated into the Masonic order in Yreka, California and at the time of his death was the oldest living member of Aztlan Lodge, No. 1, F. and A. M., of Prescott having been a past master.

He married Mrs. Mary (Smith) Leib, a native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on February 28, 1867, in Prescott. Mary was the widow of Charles Leib. She was born in 1828; died in Prescott, November 18, 1891. Judge Brooks and his wife raised and legally adopted an Indian baby girl, who survived a battle in which her mother was killed in Hell Canyon by Ed Peck, a well-known Indian fighter. The child was named Bessie Brooks and later married Judge James Edgar.

Judge Brooks lived for many years on his ranch (Woodside), which adjoins the southwest suburb of Prescott. He was close friends with Judge John “Blinkey” Howard. He died May 30, 1907 in Cleveland, Ohio while visiting his nephew and some friends.

Sources: Obituary, Arizona Journal-Miner, June 4, 1907; Sharlot Hall Archives surname folder