Charles W. Brooks
| Charles W. Brooks | |
|---|---|
 | |
| United States Senator from Illinois | |
|
In office November 22, 1940 – January 3, 1949 | |
| Preceded by | James M. Slattery |
| Succeeded by | Paul Douglas |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Charles Wayland Brooks March 8, 1897 West Bureau, Illinois |
| Died |
January 14, 1957 (aged 59) Chicago, Illinois |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) |
Gertrude Ackerly (1920–1943, divorced) Mary E. Thomas Peavey (1946–1957, his death) |
| Military service | |
| Service/branch | U.S. Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1917-1919 |
| Rank | First Lieutenant |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
Charles Wayland Brooks (March 8, 1897 – January 14, 1957) was a Republican U.S. Senator from Illinois from 1940 to 1949.[1]
Born in West Bureau, Illinois, Brooks served in the Marines during World War I as a first lieutenant from 1917 to 1919; while in combat he was wounded several times.
Brooks ran for Governor of Illinois in 1936 but was defeated by incumbent Democrat Henry Horner. He was elected by a very narrow margin in 1940 to fill the senate vacancy caused by the death of J. Hamilton Lewis.[2] Brooks was reelected in 1942,[3] but was defeated in 1948 by Democrat Paul Douglas.
Brooks returned to Chicago and died at age 59 at Passavant Hospital in early 1957, after a massive heart attack.[4]
Family
Brooks married Gertrude Ackerly in August 1920 and they had a son, Russell (b. 1924). She divorced him in April 1943 in Reno, Nevada, citing cruelty.[5][6] He married Mary Elizabeth Thomas Peavey, a widow and daughter of U.S. Senate colleague John W. Thomas of Idaho. They wed in May 1946,[7] and remained married to his death. Mary Brooks later became a member of the Idaho Senate.[8] and for eight years was Director of the United States Mint during the Nixon and Ford administrations. Her son, John Peavey (b. 1933), is a former Democratic politician in Idaho, formerly a Republican.
References
- ↑ http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=B000874
- ↑ "Brooks sworn in as new Illinois senator". Daily Kentucky New Era (Hopkinsville). (NEA photo). November 23, 1940. p. 6.
- ↑ "Illinois returns Senator Brooks". Toledo Blade (Ohio). INS. November 4, 1942. p. 1.
- ↑ "Ex-Illinois senator dies in hospital". Sarasota Journal (Florida). Associated Press. January 14, 1957. p. 9.
- ↑ "Wife divorces Senator". Pittsburgh Press. April 10, 1943. p. 1.
- ↑ "Milestones". Time. April 1943. Retrieved October 21, 2012.
- ↑ "Illinois senator to wed May 8". St. Petersburg Times (Florida). INS. April 28, 1946. p. 10.
- ↑ Connor, Harriet J. (January 3, 1969). "State Senator is chairman". Spokane Daily Chronicle (Washington). p. 8.
External links
- Political Graveyard.com - Charles W. Brooks
- Charles W. Brooks at Find a Grave
| United States Senate | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by James M. Slattery |
U.S. Senator (Class 2) from Illinois 1940–1949 Served alongside: Scott W. Lucas |
Succeeded by Paul Douglas |
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