Smith W. Brookhart - Personal Background

Personal Background

Brookhart was born in a cabin on a farm in Scotland County, Missouri, the son of Abram C. and Cynthia Wildman Brookhart. He was educated in country schools. Brookhart graduated from Bloomfield High School and then attended Southern Iowa Normal School, both in Bloomfield, Iowa, where he graduated in 1889, with an emphasis in scientific courses. For five years he taught in country schools and high school, meanwhile studying law in offices in Bloomfield and Keosauqua, Iowa. He was admitted to the bar in 1892 and began practice in Washington, Iowa. Four years later his brother, J. L. Brookhart, joined his firm. He served for six years as Washington County Attorney.

On June 22, 1897, he married Jennie Hearne. They had four sons and two daughters, Charles Edward Brookhart, John Roberts Brookhart, Samuel Colar Brookhart, Smith W. Brookhart Jr., Florence Hearne Brookhart Yount, and Edith A. Brookhart Millard.

He served in the U.S. Army during the Spanish American War and World War I, where he reached the rank of lieutenant colonel. He was renowned for his marksmanship with a rifle. Brookhart eventually served as president of the National Rifle Association from 1921 to 1925.