San Joaquin County Biographies
Ref: Page 800
Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 11/3/2009
WILLIAM F. COOK
Numbered among the prominent and influential farmers and honored pioneers of San Joaquin County is William F. Cook who resides on the homestead that was his birthplace. He has watched the development of San Joaquin County through a long period, noting with interest the changes that have been wrought as its natural resources have been developed and the work of improvement and civilization has been carried forward. He was born on the Cook ranch, June 4, 1855, and is of German lineage. His parents, Frederick and Caroline Cook, were born in Germany and soon after their marriage they came to Ameica [sic] and settled in Illinois where their first daughter was born. They left Illinois and started for California with ox teams across the plains and arrived at Hangtown in 1849 so named because of the justice administered there at an early day, and for a time was engaged in mining for gold; later he removed to San Joaquin County and established his home near Atlanta and soon acquired three quarter sections of land, one a homestead, one a preemption and one tree claim. The first house built was a cabin made from timber cut by his own hand and where the family lived and reared their nine children: Emma, William F. of this sketch; Lewis P., Charles, Edward, Adolph, Caroline, Eliza and Lillie. William F. Cook was reared to manhood upon his father's farm in San Joaquin County and has always possessed the progressive spirit of the West—the spirit that has led to the rapid and substantial advancement of the states along the Pacific Coast. He was educated in the district schools in his home neighborhood, enjoying no better privileges than most lads of the period, but he determined to win success, and as the result of his energy he is now the owner of 160 acres where he has farmed for the past twenty-five years. The principal crop is grain and everything about the place is kept in good condition, and the neat and thrifty appearance of the farm indicates to the passerby the supervision of a progressive owner.
The marriage of Mr. Cook united him with Miss Eliza Pope, born in Oakland, Cal., and they have two daughters, Myrtle, the wife of Henry Pratt, has three children, Gene, Margaret and William; Alice, Mrs. William Alsa, resides in the Cook home place. For several terms, Mr. Cook served as school trustee at Atlanta and was formerly a member of the Democratic County Central Committee of San Joaquin County. Mr. and Mrs. Cook are well and favorably known in San Joaquin County where his business capacity has won the admiration of his fellow-citizens, while his strong personal traits of character have gained him their friendly regard.
History of
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY
CALIFORNIA
With A
Biographical Review
of
The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been
Identified with Its Growth and Development
from the Early Days to the Present
HISTORY BY
George H. Tinkham
HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
1923
San Joaquin County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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