The Borough Of Media.

Hugh Jones Brooke was born Dec. 27, 1805, and was the eldest of five children born to Nathan Brooke and Mary (Jones), his wife. His father was a well-to-do farmer, whose farm comprised the valley of the Gulf Creek, in Radnor, adjoining Montgomery County. His ancestors were the sturdy yeomanry of the early emigration from England and Wales. Those of his father were Quakers, and settled in and near Limerick (now Montgomery County), and of his mother Episcopalians, who settled in Newtown and Radnor, and were among the founders of St. David's Church, Radnor. His father dying when he was but nine years old, he was brought up under the joint care of his mother and his paternal grandfather, who were well fitted to prepare him for the active duties of life. His education was of the character obtainable at that day in the local schools. At the early age of fifteen he took charge of the farm, and thenceforward led a life of active usefulness.

The prominence of his grandfather, who had been a Revolutionary officer, and was a large land-owner, as well as largely engaged in industrial pursuits, brought him into early participation in the administration of public affairs, and he almost continuously served his fellow-citizens in local affairs, besides terms in both branches of the State Legislature, always being on important committees, and often in leading positions, and his advice was frequently sought in national and State, as well as local, corporate, and personal affairs.

In corporations he was largely interested, and the Delaware Mutual Safety Insurance Company, the First National Bank of Media, the Twelfth Street Market Company, and the Media Gas Company were among those of which he was either the originator or a corporator, and assisted in the administration as president or director until his death. There were many others he was or had been connected with, and to him Philadelphia is largely indebted for its present system of market-houses, he being the originator, and until he refused to serve further, president of the Farmers' Market Company.

In 1853 he purchased the farm in and adjoining Media, lying between the State (Street) road and Ridley Creek, and removing from Radnor thither, thenceforward gave liberal attention to the development of that town, building with his own means the Chestnut Grove House and Brooke Hall Female Seminary, besides many private residences and other buildings, and, with the public, the railroad through it, and the Pennsylvania Training School for Feeble-Minded Children adjacent, the latter having been located through him, and largely developed by his legislative influence in securing meritorious appropriations from the State for its building and maintenance. Both as an officer and citizen it had his earnest and sympathetic advice and assistance until his death.

In the suppression of the Rebellion he took an active part, and when asked by the Secretary of War to assist in developing the commissary department he went earnestly to work, and served both in field and at post with benefit alike to the government and the soldier until impaired health from overwork enforced his resignation.

In politics he was a Whig, who early became a Republican because of his anti-slavery convictions, which caused him to refuse a marshalship which might involve his official enforcement of the fugitive slave law. In business he spoke of himself as a farmer, but, as before mentioned, he was that and much more. In religion he made no public professions. He was a regular and constant attendant at the services of the Protestant Episcopal Church; and St. David's, Radnor, and Christ Church, Media, especially shared of his labors and his means. Of the latter he was the originator. He was especially interested in the amusement and labors of the young, and was always ready at proper times to participate in the one or aid the other, and many were indebted to him for his good advice and material assistance for their start in life.

He married, April 16, 1829, Jemima Elizabeth, daughter of Nathaniel Longmire (a lace manufacturer) and Elizabeth (Green), his wife, who, with his family, had emigrated from Nottingham, England. They had children as follows: Anna Elizabeth, born Feb.