Jehiel Brooks facts for kids
Jehiel Brooks (born April 8, 1797, in Albans, Vermont – died February 6, 1886) was an American soldier and a large landowner. He also served as a government official in a territory.
Early Life and Military Service
Jehiel Brooks was born in Vermont. As a young man, he joined the military. He served as a First Lieutenant in the First Regiment of Infantry. This was part of the Ohio Militia during the War of 1812. The War of 1812 was a conflict between the United States and Great Britain.
Life in Washington, D.C.
After his military service, Brooks moved to District of Columbia. He hoped to get a job in the government. He did receive one important job. This was with the Red River Indian Agency in Louisiana. He worked there during the time Andrew Jackson was president (1829-1837).
However, Brooks did not get many other government jobs. So, he decided to become a large-scale farmer. He owned a lot of land near what is now The Catholic University of America (CUA). He was known as a "gentleman farmer." This meant he owned the farm and managed it, but he likely didn't do the physical farm work himself.
Family and Property
In 1828, Jehiel Brooks married Ann Margaret Queen. Her father, Nicholas Louis Queen, was a very important person in Washington, D.C. He owned a lot of land and ran the Queen's Hotel near the Capitol building.
Jehiel and Ann Margaret Brooks built a large home together. This home is now known as the Brooks Mansion. Later, their son, John Henry Brooks, sold the family's land. This land was then used by developers to create the Brookland neighborhood in the early 1900s.
