Ventura County Biographies

William C. Cook

Submitted by Sandy Neder

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

  
William C. Cook, one of the prominent business men of New Jerusalem, Ventura 
County, California, was born in Toronto, Canada, October 28, 1856.  His birth 
occurred in Canada while his mother was there on a visit, so that he is the son 
of a United States citizen. His father, William Cook, was born in England, came 
to America in 1837, and settled at Buffalo, New York. His mother, Hannah 
(Chappel) Cook, was also a native of England. Of the five children born to them, 
William is the only surviving one. His early life was spent in Rochester, New 
York, at Buffalo, and at London, Canada. He graduated at a high school and also 
spent one year at the Huron College. For nearly a year he sailed on the 
steamship Oceanic, White Star Line, between New York and Liverpool, after which 
he traveled in England, Ireland and France. His father sent him a ticket to 
return to America on the Atlantic. He missed that ship, however, and sailed in 
the Oceanic. On that voyage the Atlantic went down near Halifax, Nova Scotia, 
with 950 souls on board! His parents thought he was on the lost ship, and it was 
a glad surprise, indeed, when he reached them in safety. His father thinking it 
best for him to learn a trade, he chose carriage-making, and worked at it three 
years, receiving $25 per year and his board. After his term of apprenticeship 
had expired he worked in the same shop for a while, and later in Detroit and 
Chicago. He then accepted the position of brakeman on the New York Central 
Railroad. After being thus employed for two months he went home on a visit, and 
in May 1876, came to California. He worked in Saticoy two years, then went to 
the Conejo Valley, and next came to New Jerusalem. A year and a half he worked 
here for wages, and then was employed for four years in Hueneme. He returned to 
New Jerusalem and formed a partnership with Mr. Wilkes and opened his present 
carriage and blacksmith business. The firm now, 1890, is Cook & Joy, Mr. Joy 
having bought out Mr. Wilkes. Mr. Cook owns a five acre lot, on which he built 
his residence. He also owns another house and lot.
The subject of this sketch was married November 26, 1876, to Miss Annie Groves, 
a native of Canada. They have a family of two sons and two daughters, all born 
in Ventura County, viz.: Hannah, Emma, Charles, and Willie. Mr. Cook is a 
Republican and takes an active part in political matters. He holds the office of 
Justice of the Peace, and is clerk of the board of trustees of the school 
district. He has recently been appointed Postmaster of New Jerusalem. He is 
Deputy Grand Master of the A.O.U.W. and a charter member of the order at 
Hueneme, where he aided in establishing a lodge. Mr. Cook has recently united 
with the F. & A.M.
It should be further stated, in connection with the history of Mr. Cook's 
family, that his father, brother, and an uncle were Union soldiers in the late 
war. His brother and uncle both died at the Andersonville prison.
 
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES OF SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS 
OBISPO, AND VENTURA, CALIF. by Ida Addis Storke, 1891, p 300