Louis J. Brooks, editor and proprietor of the semi-weekly West Tennessee Whig, at Jackson, Tenn., was born August 24, 1853, at Lexington, Henderson Co., Tenn. He is one of four surviving members of a family of seven children born to the marriage of Rev. John Brooks and Sarah S. Acton. John Brooks was born in the Emerald Isle, in 1810, and when about thirteen years of age came to the United States and resided in Philadelphia two years. About this time he came to Tennessee, and resided in Nashville, and then Purdy, McNairy County, a few years, and finally located in Lexington, Henderson County. In 1867 he took up his abode in Jackson. He was married to a Miss Wilson, of McNairy County, and three children blessed their union, W. J., a merchant at Altus, Ark., being the only one living at the present time. Mrs. Brooks died and Mr. Brooks married our subject's mother. She is a native of Fincastle, Va., and is now residing in Jackson. The father was a local minister of the Methodist Church, and was a merchant of Jackson for many years. He was a prominent Mason and at one time, prior to the war, was director of the Tennessee State Bank. His death occurred at Jackson, in 1880. His son, Louis J. Brooks, graduated from the West Tennessee College of Jackson, in 1872, with the degree of A.M. He then accepted the position of corresponding editor and general traveling agent for the Plain Dealer, published at Jackson, and after holding the position a few months, established the Lexington Reporter, which he very successfully edited about one year. He returned to Jackson, and in connection with Col. John T. Hogan, established the Tri-Weekly Herald, which after six months was merged into a daily and edited nearly two years; then owing to the failure of Mr. Brook's health he severed his connection with journalism and traveled about six months. After his return, he read law with Howell E. Jackson, a few months, and then (in 1875) became general manager of the Whig and Tribune, and continued the same about three years. The paper was then consolidated with the Jackson Sun, and he held a position on that paper for a few months, then purchased a half interest in the Milan Exchange, and with W. A. Wade published the paper about two years. He returned to Jackson about this time and bought a one-third interest in the West Tennessee Whig, but soon after (in July, 1883,) became sole proprietor and editor of the same. By January, 1885, the business had so increased that the semi-weekly was established. The Whig was first edited by Col. W. W. Gates, in 1844. In June, 1881, Mr. Brooks married Laura Blemken, of Evansville, Ind., but a native of Louisville, Ky. They are the parents of the following children: Ernest, Louise (deceased), Louis J., Jr. Mr. Brooks is a K. of P. and is one of Jackson's Second National Bank directors. He is ex-vice-president and has been one of the Tennessee Press Association. He also received appointment from Gov. Bates to the Mississippi River Convention held at Washington, D.C. He owns valuable city property and a tract of 120 acres of land in the county.

Goodspeeds History of Tennessee