What Happened To George F. Brooks?

Photo Taken In Lapeer County, Michigan

George Brooks' marriage to Clara Powers was April 19, 1882, in Lapeer County.  He was listed as working on the railroad. Both were living in Dryden, Michigan.  Rena Davis and Daniel C. Bacon, both of Dryden, Lapeer County, Michigan, were the witnesses.

Name George Brooks

Age (Expanded) 45 years

Birth Year 1837

Birthplace England

Spouse's Name Clara Powers

Spouse's Age (Expanded) 24 years

Spouse's Birth Year 1858

Spouse's Birthplace Ontario

Event Date 24 Mar 1882

Event Place Dryden, Lapeer, Michigan

In the 1894  State of Michigan Census taken in Lapeer County, George Brooks' birth year was listed as 1830; the marriage record indicated 1837. "Harriet's" [Clara?] birth year was 1865 whereas the marriage record listed Clara's birth year as 1858, which matched other documents for Clara.  The girls are Clara's daughters.

1894 MI Census - Lapeer Co., Village of Dryden

Brooks, George, 64, husband, ENG ENG ENG 11 yrs in MI; U.S.

Brooks, Harriet, 29, wife, 3children/2living, CAN CAN CAN 13 yrs in MI; U.S.

Brooks, Lucy, 9, daughter, MI ENG CAN

Brooks, Cornelia, 6, daughter, MI ENG CAN

By November of 1896, Clara was still Mrs. Clara E. Brooks, though living in the adjacent county of Genesee.

The 1899 Flint City Directory included the following entry:  BROOKS, Clara E. (wid George F.), res 150(0) Fenton.

George Brooks' death record was not found in the 1897-1920 Michigan death records.

Clara (Powers) Brooks and Allen Sincerbeaux applied for a marriage license (which was uncompleted and crossed out, stating "am unable to make/use this license) on 23 Oct 1899, in Flint, Genesee Co., Michigan. When and where did they actually get married -- or did they? Was George Brooks still alive, making the license invalid?

Cornelia Brooks was listed as Allen Sincerbeaux's step-daughter, and "Carrie E. (Clara) as his wife in the 1900 census.

Lucy Brooks was living as a boarder in a household where Lola Sincerbeaux (Allen's daughter) was a servant in 1900.   In November of 1900 Lola Sincerbeaux married Clara's brother, John Powers.

Clara (Powers) Brooks Sincerbeaux's obituary indicated that she was survived by two daughters (Lucy and Cornelia).