J[ustus]. W[infield]. BROCKETT, of the firm of BROCKETT & BEVIS, dealers in real estate, abstracts, municipal securities, etc., is a native of Connecticut, born in New Haven, October 2, 1843. When six years of age he was brought by his parents, E. E. and Jane (BRADLEY) BROCKETT, to Davenport, Iowa, and there he grew to manhood, receiving his education in the public schools of that city. He began teaching school at the age of eighteenyears, a vocation he followed some six years, and in the meantime studied law with the firm of McCOMAS & McKIGHT, of Fort Scott, [Bourbon County] Kansas. Completing his law studies he was admitted to the bar in 1873 and commenced the practice of law at Fort Scott, Kansas, where he remained till 1879, at the same time being connected with the mining interests of that place.

Mr. BROCKETT was married in May, 1872, to Miss Catherine VIDAL, of Fort Scott, a daughter of John L. VIDAL, whose father was a Cuban tobacco merchant. John L. VIDAL married the mother of our subject, and is now a resident of Mt. Ayr. Mr. and Mrs. BROCKETT have five children - John, Frank, Cassie, Eleanor J. and Thomas. Mr. BROCKETT removed with his family to Mt. Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa, in November, 1879, and immediately opened a law office.

In February, 1883, he formed a partnership with M. L. BEVIS, thus forming the present reliable firm of BROCKETT & BEVIS, Mr. BROCKETT being the attorney for the firm, and by their honorable and upright dealings they have established a good business, and have gained the confidence and respect of all who know them.

NOTE: Elam Enos BROCKETT, son of Justus and Eunice (TODD) BROCKETT, was born February 4, 1818 in Connecticut. He married on October 2, 1846 to Jane E. BRADLEY. Elam died January 25, 1872, near Fort Scott, Kansas. Jane remarried to John L. VIDAL. John L. VIDAL, a Captain during the Civil War, died at the age of 92 years on December 7, 1906. Jane E. (BRADLEY) BROCKETT VIDAL died at the age of 80 years on September 22, 1908. John and Jane VIDAL were interred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa.

Justus Winfield, the eldest of Elam and Jane (BRADLEY) BROCKETT's four children, died on February 8, 1918, and was interred at Mount Mora Cemetery, Saint Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri.

SOURCES:
Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, Iowa, p. 384, 1887.

Brockett, Edward Judson The Descendants of John BROCKETT; One of the Original Founders of New Haven Colony Connecticut p. 141 The Orange Chronicle Co. East Orange NJ. 1905.

WPA Graves Survey

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, March of 2009

Biographical Sketches Pages Index: A - F,   G - L,   M - R,  S - Z