Tehama County Biographies

GEORGE COCKING

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

 
is one of the worthy residents of Red Bluff who has made his way in the world by 
honest toil and the judicious investment of his savings.  He is a native of 
England, born at Balderton, near Newark, October 29, 1839.  His parents, Thomas 
and Ann Cocking, were both English people.  To them were born seven children, of 
whom George is the fifth.  He received his education in his native land, and, 
some time after reaching the years of manhood, went to New Zealand.  He arrived 
at that place in August, 1864, and worked there as a farm hand and was also 
employed on the railroad, remaining two years and a half.  He then came to 
California.  At Sacramento he was variously employed until he was taken sick, 
and there lay in the hospital for some time.  Upon his recovery he went on the 
Central Pacific Railroad to Humboldt City, and worked on the road until it was 
completed.  He was brakeman and afterward conductor.  From there he went to 
Santa Cruz, where he worked in the redwoods, and where, for a time, he was 
employed in a paper manufactory.  He returned to Sacramento and came to Tehama 
on the first passenger train that crossed the river at Tehama.  He then spent 
several years in railroad employ.  Mr. Cocking quit that business to engage in 
draying at Red Bluff and bought a horse and truck and was thus employed for two 
years.  From time to time he had invested his spare money in property, and now 
owns eight houses and lots, which he rents.  Excepting the care of his property, 
collecting rents, etc., he has retired from business.
            Mr. Cocking was married in 1874.  Mrs. Cocking is now (1890) an 
invalid.  Politically the subject of this sketch is a Republican.
 
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing 
Co., 1891, pp 563-564