(1929-1934) 

Donald Ralston Brooks was born in Linnton, OR on 18 May 1877 to William M and Elizabeth Brooks.  (Linnton is now part of a Portland industrial district).  When he was young, Don’s family moved to Alsea, OR where his father became a shingle splitter.  In 1910, at age 22, Don still lived with his father and mother, working as a farm laborer. 

 Changes in the labor market brought on by the build-up to WW1 may have attracted Don to Salem because by 1916, he was working at TKWM as a dyer.  On 12 Dec 1916, at age 29, Don married 21-year-old Ethel R. Hildebrand and they took up residence at 420 N 24th St in Salem. 

Ethel was born in Indiana and, in 1904, moved to Waldport, OR with her widowed mother, Alice and brother Hugh.  The family moved to Salem shortly thereafter where, at the young age of 14, Hugh worked as a mechanic while Ethel continued in school.   Alice lived with Don and Ethel after they married. 

Don worked his way up from dyer to finisher then finishing foreman at TKWM by 1944.  There was no paid sick leave for TKWM employees so, just like many other days, Don went to work on 24 Oct 1944 after feeling a bit under the weather earlier in the week. He was brought home quite ill and died in a local hospital later that day. He is buried in Salem’s Pioneer Cemetery. 

Ethel made do for a few years on their savings, but eventually worked in a cannery then as a nurse’s aide and finally a housekeeper at Salem Hospital for many years.  She passed away in April 1986 and is buried near her husband. 

Ethel Hildebrand 5 b Feb 1895 in Indiana.  Home in 1900: Jefferson, Cass, Indiana.  Daughter, Single  Father’s Birthplace: Indiana Mother’s name: Alice B Hildebrand b in Indiana Alice B Hildebrand 36, Hugh H Hildebrand 8,  Ethel Hildebrand 5
1910Donald R Brooks  22 b abt 1888 in Oregon.   Home in 1910: Coon Hollow Road, Alsea, Lincoln, Oregon, Son, Single.  Father’s name: William M Brooks b in Iowa.  Mother’s name: Elizabeth R Brooks b in Canada.  Occupation: Farm Laborer.  William M Brooks 57, Elizabeth R Brooks 56, Myron J Brooks 25, Donald R Brooks 22, Luella J Brooks 19, Elizabeth A Brooks 17, Ivy S T Brooks 15, Bessie D Brooks 13 

1920Donald Brooks 33 b abt 1887 in Oregon, 420 N 24th St Salem.  Spouse’s name: Ethel Brooks Father’s Birthplace: Iowa Mother’s Birthplace: Canada Occupation: Laborer, Woolen Mill Home rented.  Donald Brooks 33, Ethel Brooks 24, Beula Brooks 1, Alice Hildebrand 55
1930Donald Brooks b abt 1888 in Oregon.  464 S 24th St, Salem OR.   Home owned.  No radio set.  Age at first Marriage: 28 Father’s Birthplace: Iowa Mother’s Birthplace: Canada Occupation: Finisher, Woolen mill.  Donald Brooks 42, Ethel M Brooks 35, Beula B Brooks 11, Glen V Brooks 8, Alice Hildebrand (Mother in Law) 65 

1940Donald Brooks 52 b abt 1888 in Oregon.  464 20th St S.   Occupation: Cloth Finisher TKWM House Owned Highest Grade Completed: 8th grade.  Donald Brooks 52, Ethel Brooks 45, Beula B Brooks 21, Glenn J Brooks 18 (empl TKWM),  Alice B Hildebrand 75 (mother-in-law) 

1911Alice (wid Jay L), Ethel M (student), Hugh H Hildebrand (boarder/machinist) all reside at 1546 Trade St. 

1917Donald Brooks 546 S 14th Salem, Oregon, Dyer TKWM.  Spouse: Ethel Brooks 

1924Donald R Brooks 390 S 24th Salem, Oregon.  Laborer, TKWM.   Spouse: Ethel Brooks 

1932 Donald Brooks 464 S 24th Shearer TKWM.  Spouse: Ethel M Brooks 

1934Donald Brooks 464 S 24th.  Millworker (no employer) Spouse: Ethel Brooks 

1935Donald Brooks  464 S 24th  Finisher TKWM  Spouse: Ethel M Brooks   

1942Donald Brooks 464 S 24th Forman TKWM Spouse:  Ethel M Brooks 

1945Ethel Brooks (Wid Donald Brooks) 464 S 24th   

1947Ethel Brooks (Wid Donald Brooks) 464 S 24th   

1953Ethel Brooks (Wid Donald Brooks) Cnry Wkr 464 S 24th 

1955Ethel M Brooks Mrs Nurses Aid 1325 Lee St 

1957-60 Ethel M Brooks Mrs Housekeeper Salem Hospital 1325 Lee St 

1975Wid Donald R Brooks  326 Lee St SE  Spouse: Ethel M Brooks  rtd 

Bio:  Son of William M Brooks and Elizabeth R Millar.  Married Ethel M Hildebrand, 12 Dec 1916 in Marion Co, OR.  Dyer at TKWM.   

Ethel Mary (Hildebrand) Brooks Birth Date: 21 Feb 1895  Birth Place: Indiana  Death Date: Apr 1986 in Marion County, Oregon  Cemetery: Salem Pioneer Cemetery Spouse: Donald R Brooks  Children:  Glen Vernon Brooks 

5 Jun 1917.  Hugh Hildebrand 25, Single, Birth Date:  1 July 1891.  Home in Waldport, OR. 

WW2 26 Apr 1942.  Donald Ralston Brooks 54.   Race: White Birth Date: 18 May 1887 in Sintan, Oregon.  Residence in 1942 464 S 24th St, Salem, Oregon, USA.  Appendix Scar.  Emply: TKWM 

Name: Ethel M Hildebrand Marriage Date: 12 Dec 1916 Marriage Place: Marion, Oregon, USA 

M3 1994-016-0015    Oral History (Bill Pero) 

1979.001.0002          Photograph