WILLIAM KEITH BROOKS — CONKUN 

 SCHOOL DAYS. 



"My brother received his early education at the public schools 

 of Cleveland. The schools he attended were all within walk- 

 ing distance of our home. He first attended the "Prospect" 

 School, primary and intermediate, quite near home. One of his 

 teachers, a lady, says of him: "I remember him as possessing 

 a most cheerful and loving disposition, and being very bright 

 and quick to learn." From that school he was advanced to the 

 "Eagle" grammar school. The principal was a Mr. Perkins, 

 who was assisted by his wife. They remember him as a good 

 •boy of quiet and gentle manners, who never gave them any 

 trouble, but do not recall anything to indicate the ability he 

 afterwards developed. One of his schoolmates there was Prof. 

 Theodore B. Comstock, now of Tos Angeles, California, who 

 wrote me as follows : 



William (we called him Will) was fond of animals and was of an 

 investigating turn of mind, as a boy. He knew more of Nature than his 

 associates and took keen interest in what he observed. Reptiles and 

 venomous insects were his pets. His will was strong, but not aggres- 

 sive. An incident in my experience with him will illustrate this : One 

 day I had teased him, and on our way home he quietly said, "Don't you 

 say that again." I ran off to a safe distance and mocked him. He 

 started for me with doubled fist, showing no emotion, but coming towards 

 me with a steady walk. I dodged him for awhile, and then concluded 

 he had given up the chase, as he did not appear angry and kept up his 

 steady walk. Finally, I came over to him unconcernedly. He walked 

 calmly by my side, raised his arm, and struck me on rny shoulder. That 

 was all, but my shoulder was very sore for many days afterwards. 

 Aside from his attachment to animals, I remember nothing in his early 

 youth which could be regarded as clearly indicating his later career. 



"He was never a plodding student, his quickness of mind 

 enabling him to grasp a subject rapidly, and when he had once 

 done so he lost interest in its details. From the grammar 

 school he went, in 1863, to the Central High School, which was 

 then quite near our home. The principal there was Dr. Theo- 

 dore Sterling, afterwards president of Kenyon College, and he 

 was assisted by Professor Norton, now Professor of Chemistry 

 at Ohio State University, at Columbus. "Both remember him 

 well. Doctor Sterling wrote me as follows in regard to him : 



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