Walter Booth Brooks

Walter Booth Brooks (May 27, 1823 – January 17, 1896) was an American politician and businessman from Maryland. He was the Republican nominee for the governor of Maryland in 1887.

Early life

Walter Booth Brooks was born on May 27, 1823, in Baltimore, Maryland, to Marilla (née Phelps) and Chauncey Brooks. He was named after General Walter Booth, a business partner of his father. His father had English heritage and was president of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. He was a director and large stockholder in the Western National Bank, director of Eutaw Savings Bank, the Safe Deposit and Trust Company, the Consolidated Gas Company, the Howard Fire Insurance Company, and the Central Ohio Railroad. His bid was supported by independent Democrats, including John K. Cowen. He lost the election by 12,416 votes to Elihu Emory Jackson. His son Walter Jr. succeeded him as president of the Canton Company and was associated with the American Red Cross. His son Walter Jr. married Louise Cromwell. His daughter Eleanor married William Grigsby McCormick.

Brooks was a member and trustee of Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church. His Cloverfield home was a large brick colonial mansion near the east entrance of Druid Hill Park on Eutaw Place. After his father's death in 1880, he took ownership of the mansion. He died on January 17, 1896, at his Cloverfield home in Baltimore. He was buried in Green Mount Cemetery.