Harold C. Brooks of Norwich, NY - 1900

Harold C. Brooks

Utica Saturday Globe, November 1900

 

Harold C. Brooks

1881 - 1929

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  His many Norwich friends are pleased to know that Harold C. Brooks, who less than three months ago entered the National Conservatory of Music in New York, is scoring unwonted success in his chosen work.  Harold, who is an only son of Mr. and Mrs. P.L. Brooks, and is just approaching 19 years of age, has always shown a love for music and an especial fondness for the violin. Two years ago he took a brief course in instruction under Prof. M.C. Griswold and showed such readiness in reading and aptness in rendering difficult selections that his extraordinary talent was evident and was considered well worthy of higher cultivation. September 1, he was admitted to the conservatory, and in addition to his study of harmony and composition and the history of music took up courses in German and French.  His exceptional talent was soon recognized, and for several week she has been a member of Horner's orchestra, which plays regularly at the Star Opera House.  Last Saturday night he made his first public appearance in solo in a concert given at the Metropolitan Temple before an audience of 2,000, and was most enthusiastically received and rapturously encored.  His second selection was received with even more favor than his first and he was applauded to the echo.  On Sunday following he assisted at the evening service in one of the city churches.  He writes home modestly of his success, the extent of which was more fully described in a letter from a friend residing in the city.  It is apparent that a brilliant future lies before him.

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Obituary

Norwich Sun, May 27, 1929

 

Funeral services for Harold C. Brooks, of Henry Street [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], who died at Chenango Memorial Hospital at 6 o'clock Saturday night, will be held from the Breese funeral parlors at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon, Rev. J.R. Beckwith of Greenridge, Pa. cousin of the deceased, officiating.  Interment will be made in Mt. Hope cemetery [Norwich, NY].  Mr. Brooks had been a patient at the hospital for more than two weeks and less than 24 hours before his death was said to have improved.  He was best known as an engraver, and in this line of work he had few equals.  The deceased was born in Norwich Jan. 15, 1881 and this city had always been his home, aside from brief periods of time spent in New York city, Ithaca and elsewhere when he was employed at his trade. Mr. Brooks was an expert engraver, and soon after his education had been finished in the local schools he took up the study of designing and engraving.  For a time he was employed by the Norwich Pharmacal Company, and later he became one of the staff of engravers employed by Tiffany in New York city.  He also held like positions in Ithaca and elsewhere but more recently had conducted a studio for himself.  Mr. Brooks was also a violinist and had studied in Italy.  he was best known for his workmanship as an engraver, and there are many pieces of jewelry and silver engraving in Norwich that are testimonials to his skill and art.  His death removes the last member of his family, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. P.L. Brooks, long residents of this city, having passed away. There survive an aunt, Mrs. Ida Beckwith of McDonough and a cousin, Rev.  J.R. Beckwith of Greenridge, Pa.