Biographies of people buried between 1920 & 29
President John James Brooks (1855 - 1929)
President J J Brooks was the first Headmaster of the School of Art at the Royal Technical College, Salford.
He was born in Pendleton in 1855 and became an Artist. The 1881 census shows him as head of the household at 157, Church Street, Pendleton, a Photographer's Artist aged 25. Other family member in the house were: his widowed mother, Mary Brooks a former Dressmaker aged 58; his sister Helen C. Brooks, a warehouse clerk aged 20; and another sister Lilian Brooks, pupil teacher aged 16.
He took a position at the School of Art in Bristol, before returning to Salford as the first Headmaster of the School of Art at the Royal Technical College on the Crescent, Salford. He organised the School of Art and, according to the Salford City Reporter "carried it on most efficiently and faithfully", until he retired in 1920.
President Brooks was a very gifted artist, especially in painting, modelling, carving, metalwork and industrial design. He was the means of stimulating and training many students to become artists and teachers of art during his long connection with the School of Art.
In 1896, President married Eva Louisa Barker at St Luke's Church, Salford. She was born in 1864 in Salford and according to the 1881 census she lived at 38, Thurlow Street, Salford, with her widowed mother Isabella S. Barker aged 57 and two older sisters Florence Amelia Barker aged 22 and Minnie Barker aged 21. (All had no occupation).
President and Eva had one son, President Hodson, who was born in 1900 (and died in 1944). They lived at Halton Bank, Pendleton. Eva died before President on 4th January 1927, aged 62 and was buried at Weaste Cemetery in plot A11 of the C of E portion. President died two years later, on 20th January 1929 at the age of 74. His funeral took place on Thursday 24th January and Rev. J. Cresswell conducted the service.
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