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Title: |
Oliver Kingsley Brooks Sketches |
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Repository: |
Western Reserve Historical Society
Phone: 216-721-5722 http://www.wrhs.org |
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Creator: |
Brooks, Oliver Kingsley |
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Dates: |
1861-1995 |
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Bulk dates: |
1861-1887 |
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Quantity: |
0.20 linear feet (1 container) |
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Abstract: |
Oliver Kingsley Brooks was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1845. His art studies in Cleveland and New York City were interrupted by the American Civil War, when Brooks joined the 150th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving as a corporal in 1864, during which time he took part in the defense of Washington, D. C. After contracting malaria, he returned to Cleveland and entered into business with his father's firm, Huntington and Brooks. Brooks became a prominent Cleveland businessman. He maintained a lifelong interest in art, serving as vice president of the Cleveland Art Club. He was also a book collector, leading to membership in the Rowfant Club. Other organizations to which he belonged included the Western Reserve Society, Sons of the American Revolution; the Union Club; and Troop A, Ohio National Guard. He married Harriet Ellen Gill in 1884. They had two daughters. Brooks died in 1914. The collection consists of sketches, sketchbooks, drawings, watercolor paintings, portraits, photocopies of sketches and watercolors, a photograph, photocopies of photographs, a biographical essay, a genealogical chart, and an essay written by Brooks. The collection is of value to those studying Civil War history, army life during that war, and general scenes of nineteenth century life. The sketches include views of Civil War buildings, such as Fort Slemmer in Tennessee and the barracks at Fort Bunker Hill, Washington, D.C., and drawings of Civil War scenes of camp life done during 1864. Also included are general scenes of nineteenth century life ca. 1860-1880s; including people, landscapes, boats, lighthouses, churches, houses, and other buildings. |
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Identification: |
MS 4741 |
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Location: |
vault |
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Language: |
The records are in English |
Oliver Kingsley Brooks (1845-1914), the son of Oliver Allen Brooks (1814-1892) and Ellenora (Ellen) Bradbury Kingsley (1817-1862), was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on May 21, 1845. Oliver Allen Brooks was a prominent merchant and businessman in antebellum Cleveland, specializing in hardware and crockery. He came to Cleveland from his native Vermont in 1834. He and his wife Ellen had four sons; Oliver Kingsley, William Keith (1848-1908, who became a noted professor of zoology at Johns Hopkins University), Charles Ernest (1851-1921), and Edward Howard (1854-1928). Two daughters died in infancy.
Oliver Kingsley Brooks, after early study in Cleveland, pursued his artistic interests and studied art in New York City with Thomas Hicks. These studies were interrupted by the Civil War. Brooks returned to Ohio and joined the 150th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving as a corporal during 1864. With his regiment, he took part in the defense of Washington, D.C. After contracting malaria, Brooks returned to Cleveland and entered into business with his father's firm, Huntington and Brooks. He eventually left his father's firm and in 1881 became involved with the Cleveland Malleable Iron Company. This firm eventually merged and became the National Malleable and Steel Castings Company, where Brooks was active as secretary-treasurer until his death. Brooks also served as a director of the National City Bank, and was an active member of Trinity Cathedral, where he was a vestryman and warden. He served as treasurer of the Church Home.
Brooks maintained a lifelong interest in art, serving as vice-president of the Cleveland Art Club. He was a friend of Otto Bacher, a Cleveland artist. His other interests included books and collecting first editions and autographs. This lead to his membership in the Rowfant Club, an organization of bibliophiles. He was also a member of the Western Reserve Society, Sons of the American Revolution; the Union Club; and Troop A, Ohio National Guard.
Oliver Kingsley Brooks married Harriet Ellen Gill of Meadville, Pennsylvania, on October 22, 1884. The couple had two daughters, Katherine Gill Brooks (1888-1981) and Elizabeth Kingsley Brooks (1896-1990). Elizabeth married Cleveland lawyer David Knight Ford (1894-1993) in 1920. Oliver Kingsley Brooks died in Cleveland, Ohio on September 14, 1914.
click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for Oliver Kingsley Brooks
The Oliver Kingsley Brooks Sketches, 1861-1995 (1861-1887), consist of sketches, sketchbooks, drawings, watercolor paintings, portraits, photocopies of sketches and watercolors, a photograph, photocopies of photographs, a biographical essay, genealogical chart, and an essay written by Brooks.
This collection is of value to researchers studying Civil War history, army life during that war, and general scenes of nineteenth century life, as seen through the eyes of a young artist. Of particular interest are views of Civil War buildings, such as Fort Slemmer in Washington, D. C. and the barracks at Fort Bunker Hill, Washington, D.C., and drawings of Civil War scenes of camp life done during 1864. Also of interest are more general scenes of nineteenth century life ca. 1860-1880s, including people, landscapes, boats, lighthouses, churches, houses, and other buildings.
Original sketches available for inspection with consultation with the Curator of Manuscripts or the Vice President for Collections.
Related Material: Related MaterialThe researcher should also consult MS 4730 Ford Family Papers, which contain correspondence, writings, poems, essays, and genealogical materials belonging to Oliver Kingsley Brooks.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
[Container ___, Folder ___ ] MS 4741 Oliver Kingsley Brooks Sketches, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio
Gifts of Amasa Ford, David Ford, Allen Ford, and Oliver Ford in 1995; and Allen Ford in 2006.
Processed by Deborah R. Shell in 1997; finding aid revised by Margaret Burzynski-Bays in 2015.