Death of David Brooks

David Brooks' Death.

The death of David Brooks is announced. The deceased was 71 years of age, but up to the time of his death took an active interest in everything that transpired in electrical circles. In his early days he took a prominent part in the development of the telegraph, and invented several devices of value. But the most important work of his life was in connection with the introduction of oil as an insulation. He was a pioneer in this field.

David Brooks was born at Brooks Vale, Conn., Jan. 26, 1820. At the age of 25 he entered telegraphic service under Henry O'Reilly, and was engaged on the first commercial line in this country. He received over this line, which extended between Harrisburg and Lancaster, the first message transmitted in Pennsylvania, and it is believed the first sent in the country, excepting those over the government experimental line. He also had the honor of sending the first message across the Alleghenies, Dec. 25, 1846. This line was built for the Atlantic & Ohio company between Philadelphia and Pittsburg. He constructed the first telegraph line in Mexico, and when this was completed returned to this country and occupied several positions until 1862, when he retired from the telegraphic service. Mr. Brooks was a prolific inventor, and since his retirement from telegraphy devoted himself to the introduction and improvement of his inventions. His work in developing a system of underground conduits in which oil is used as an insulator was the most important of his inventions. His first experiments in this line were discouraging, but he persisted through numerous failures, but when he finally succeeded little attention was given the result of his labors for some time. Now, however, more attention is directed to his work. Mr. Brooks was a close observer, and an enthusiast on the question in which he was so deeply interested. He visited Europe several times with the object of studying the methods and improvements that obtained there.