Name/Title
21st OVIEntry/Object ID
2009.414.016Description
4.5" x 6.5" black and white photo on poster board of Calvin W. Brooks 21st OVI.
Calvin Wesley Brooks – Farmer
Calvin Wesley Brooks, a farmer living near McComb, Ohio, was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, on March 3, 1838. He was the son of Elisha and Margaret (Woods) Brooks—Elisha a native of Virginia, and Margaret of Ohio, of English and Irish ancestry.
Elisha Brooks, Calvin’s father, worked as a shoemaker in his early years. In 1845 he came to Hancock County, where he purchased 320 acres of land. He farmed there until his death in 1855. Calvin was the youngest of eleven children, nine of whom lived to adulthood. He grew up on the family farm and attended the local common schools.
Calvin later became the owner of 160 acres of well-improved land and spent his life engaged in farming. In 1861 he married Sarah A. Hart, daughter of Cyrus and Betsey Hart, who was also of English and Irish heritage. Sarah died in 188_. Their children were Ellsworth, Norton, Mack, Wesley, Matilda, Eli, Jennie, and Lizzie.
Politically, Mr. Brooks was a Republican. In 1862 he enlisted in Company G of the Twenty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was elected captain, but a general order broke up the regiment, and the men were detailed to other units. He served his full term and narrowly survived the Battle of Stone River. A bullet struck him directly over the heart, but a small bag of salt in his pocket slowed the shot enough that it only shattered a rib.
After the war, Mr. Brooks returned to his farm in Pleasant Township. He served four years as township trustee and four years as treasurer. In 1880 he was elected county commissioner, but the exclusion of two townships shifted the office to another candidate.
He was active in educational affairs and served eight years on the board of education. In 1883 he was elected vice president of the Hancock County Agricultural Association, becoming general manager in 1885.
Mr. Brooks was involved in several fraternal and veterans’ organizations. He was a member of the I.O.O.F., the first Chancellor Commander of McComb Lodge No. 179, Knights of Pythias, and later Deputy Grand Chancellor. He served three years as quartermaster of John Howard Post No. 154, Grand Army of the Republic, and also served as its commander.Photograph Details
Type of Photograph
PhotocopySubject Person or Organization
21st Ohio Volunteer Infantry OVICollection
Civil WarLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Secondary Object Term
Photograph, Black-and-WhiteNomenclature Primary Object Term
PhotographNomenclature Sub-Class
Graphic DocumentsNomenclature Class
Documentary ObjectsNomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication Objects