Joseph P. Brooks was born in Licking County, Ohio, May 29, 1831; his parents were J. P. and Sarah Brooks.  His father, who was a sea-faring man, and for fourteen years Captain of a vessel; left the sea, and, coming to Ohio, engaged in the pork traffic.  He afterward moved to Licking County, and engaged in farming.  Our subject received his education in the graded schools of Columbus, which he attended until his family moved away.  He chose the occupation of farming and has made that the principal object of his life.  In 1861, he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Seventy-sixth Ohio Infantry, and participated. in the battle of Fort Donelson, siege of Vicksburg and other important engagements.  He was three times wounded, but not seriously.  He was in command of Mortar Boat No. 2, that shelled Island No. 10, on the Mississippi.  He was married in 1853 to Christina Duhl, who was born in Pennsylvania January 3, 1831. They have three children-Henry J., C. and Ella F. Mr. Brooks is a Republican and the owner of sixty acres of land.