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Military Service: Army

War(s) Served:  Revolutionary War

JOHN BROOKS, the tenth governor of Massachusetts, was born in Medford, Massachusetts on May 4, 1752. His education was attained in the common schools of his native state. He later studied medicine, and established successful practices in Reading and Medford. Brooks became involved in the American Revolution, and served with the Minutemen in the battles of Bunker Hill, Concord, Long Island and White Plains. After the war, Brooks entered into a political career. He served as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1785 to 1786, and was a delegate to the 1788 Massachusetts Convention that ratified the federal constitution. He also served as the federal marshal of the Massachusetts district in 1791, was a member of the Massachusetts State Senate in 1791, served as the brigadier general in the U.S. Army from 1792 to 1796, and was the adjutant general of Massachusetts from 1812 to 1816. Brooks won election to the Massachusetts governorship on April 1, 1816. He was reelected to six consecutive terms. During his tenure, a portion of Massachusetts was separated and became the new state of Maine. Also, a constitutional convention was convened that resulted in nine new measures becoming law. After completing his term, Brooks left office on May 31, 1823, and retired from public service. Governor John Brooks passed away on March 1, 1825, and was buried somewhere in Medford, Massachusetts.

Sources:

Sobel, Robert, and John Raimo, eds. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978, Vol. 2, Westport, Conn.; Meckler Books, 1978. 4 vols.

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