Details of John's birth are not known.

John married Margaret (Maggie) Chew in 1902 in the Skipton Registration District (Dec Quarter).

He had the following children from his marriage to Margaret (Maggie) Chew:

- John Arthur Brooks	born on 28 May 1903 in Earby, Yorkshire.
- Henry (Harry) Brooks	born on 11 March 1905 in Earby, Yorkshire.
- Rose Edith Brooks	born around 1908 in Earby, Yorkshire.
- Margaret Drinkwater Brooks	born on 14 September 1921 at the Burnley Registration District (Sep Quarter).

Details of John's occupation are not known.