A Pioneer Mother of California:; Written for his grandchildren to show them how the emigrants crossed the Plains, and also what manner of person was their Great Grandmother

San Francisco: Harr Wagner Publishing Co, 1922. First Edition, 1st Printing. Near Fine. Limited ot 100 copies, SIGNED and inscribed by author, [8.5x5.5in], [9], 61 pp., two tipped in images of Eliza Ann Brooks and Elisha Brooks, all edges trimmed; Green pebbled cloth covers with black lettering on front and spine; Minimal shelf wear to covers, edges and corners with light rubbing, light age toning of text with offset shadows to end papers, inscription by author on front fly-leaf "The Greetings of Elisha Brooks, February 24, 1924" Elisha Books (1841-1930) wrote this book as a testiment to his mother and the trials of overland travel to California. In (truncated) 1850, Brooks' father George Washington Brooks went to California during the Gold Rush. He wrote back to his family in Michigan, and in April 1852, his wife (Eliza Ann Brooks) and six children (including 11 year old Elisha Brooks) began their journey to California. He described the route, difficulties, and events on the way to California. Apparently the trip wore out his mother who died six years later.

Elisha Brooks worked in the United States Mint, the California Academy of Sciences, and as principal of the Girls' High School, San Francisco. After retirement, he moved to a cottage in Ben Lomond, California. There he founded the Ben Lomond Improvement Club to improve the community from a rustic area next to a railway to Santa Cruz to a vibrant communty. (Inventory #: 14315)