Source: Portrait & Biographical Album of Whiteside County, IL
Originally published 1885 Chapman Bros., Chicago, IL

Transcribed by: Becky Jones

Page 574

L. Edwin Brookfield, President and Treasurer of the Rock Falls Manufacturing Company (specialty, burial cases), was born in Coleta, this county, June 5, 1860. His parents were Ephraim and Harriet (Yager) Brookfield, and were natives of the Empire State. His father was a banker at Rock Falls, and died Jan. 10, 1876. The subject of this sketch remained at home with his parents until 1883, being educated at the public schools of Sterling; and at the early age of 17 he took charge of the business of the Rock Falls Manufacturing Company, which was organized in August, 1877, and now does a business of $100,000 annually.

In 1884, he built, at Rock Falls, the Brookfield Block, on Main Street, containing three stores—one for hardware, one for dry goods, boots and shoes and one for a restaurant. This block cost $10,000. Mr. B. also owns a farm of 80 acres in Genesee Township, this county, and three houses in Sterling, where he resides. Though so young, he has already become one of the leading business men of the place.

Mr. Brookfield was married Sept. 15, 1882, to Miss Helen J., daughter of Thomas A. and Catherine (Anthony) Galt, of Sterling. They have one daughter, born June 14, 1883, and named Emily C. In his political sympathies Mr. B. is a Republican, and he is a member of the Order of Knights Templars