1861 – Major General John Rutter Brooke began his military career as a captain of volunteers in the Civil War and eventually achieved the rank of major general of volunteers.

         – In the Spanish-American War, he commanded the 1st Corps of the Army.

1898 – Became the Governor of Puerto Rico.

         – When General Miles left the island in October to return to the U.S., Brooke became military governor and head of the army of occupation in the U.S. military government.

1899 – Brooke took over of the first military government.