“John Gauntlett Brooks, 73, of 309 N. Aurora St., pharmacist and city historian and one of Ithaca's most beloved citizens, died at 3 a.m. today, June 2, 1948, in Tompkins County Memorial Hospital after an illness of several months.
He is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Richard E. Williams and a grandson, David Brooks Williams, both of Ithaca, and four cousins, Mrs. Anna Whitcomb of Ithaca, Mrs. Henry O. Palmer of Geneva, Mrs. George Weighardt of West Englewood, N.J., and John C. Gauntlett of London, England.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Friday in the First Presbyterian Church. The Rev.
Walter A. Dodds, pastor, will officiate, assisted by the Rev. Martin D. Hardin Jr. of Elmira.
Burial will be in East Lawn Cemetery. Friends may call from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday at the Gilbert Memorial Home, 125 E. Buffalo St.
Mr. Brooks was born in Ithaca Aug. 26, 1874, the son of Arthur Benjamin and Mary Olivia Gauntlett Brooks. After graduating from Ithaca High School in 1891, he entered his father's drug store.
On May 24, 1900, he married Maude Brady Smiley, daughter of George Mansfield and Caroline Smiley of Ithaca. In 1894, he enrolled in the College of Pharmacy, University of Buffalo, and was graduated as a pharmacist in 1896. He resumed business with his father and was taken into partnership about the turn of the century. A. B. Brooks died in 1928, and his son retired in 1934, after 43 years in the drug business. Brooks Drug Store was bought by M. P. Kassman of Binghamton, who retained the name.
Shortly after World War 2 began, Brooks became pharmacist at Tompkins County Memorial Hospital, a position he maintained until he was taken ill last December.
For a few years, beginning in 1936, Mr. Brooks was associated with a large life insurance company.
An authority on the history of Central New York and Ithaca, Mr. Brooks revived the DeWitt Historical Society of Tompkins County in 1935. Under his leadership, the Society built up a museum in the Old Court House, enlarged its membership, entertained audiences averaging 100 persons at its program meetings, and issued a number of publications. Mr. Brooks retired as president in 1947, and was named honorary president.
In 1939, Mayor Joseph B. Myers appointed Mr. Brooks city historian, a post he held until this time.
When The Journal published anniversary editions in 1938 and 1939, Mr. Brooks gave unsparingly of his time to assist in their preparations. The edition of June 1, 1938, marked the 50th anniversary of the incorporation of the City of Ithaca. For it, Mr. Brooks wrote ‘Ithaca Grows Up: Reminiscences of Early Days of a City Now 50 Years Old.’
On Oct. 28, 1939, The Journal published a special edition marking the 150th anniversary of the founding of Ithaca. Mr. Brooks wrote a special article covering the history of its first 50 years.
Mr. Brooks was a former vice-president of the Ithaca Chapter, American Red Cross; a member and past president of the Family Welfare Society, and a former director of the Reconstruction Home. He was a charter member of the Ithaca Rotary Club. He belonged to Hobasco Lodge, F. & A. Masons, to Hook & Ladder Fire Company 3, and the Protective Police. He was a member of the Buffalo University Chapter of the Beta Sigma Phi fraternity.
He was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church, He became an elder in 1921, and was a member of the Session and of two committees choosing new pastors. In 1945, Mr. Brooks was named elder emeritus, a title created in recognition of his service.”
“Death Takes John Brooks, City Historian,” Ithaca Journal, June 2, 1948, 3.