California Biographies

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

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

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


F. M. COOK. It is universally conceded that the banner vineyard of Tulare county, and prob- 
ably of San Joaquin valley, is that of F. M. Cook, who located at Orosi as one of the first 
horticulturists of this section. He purchased sixty acres of land in section 18, which was 
then nothing but a stubble field, set it to raisin grapes, all Muscat, and has since met with a 
success which has placed him prominently among the horticulturists of Tulare county. Born in 
Van Buren county, Iowa. November 10, 1852, he was the oldest in a family of six children, of 
whom four are now living. His father, James Cook, was a native of Ohio and the representa- 
tive of a family prominent in that state. In young manhood he removed to Illinois and there 
married Elizabeth Killebrew, a native of that state, a descendant of sturdy Scotch ancestry. 
Mr. Cook finally took his family to Van Buren county, Iowa, and there engaged as a farmer 
until his removal to Illinois, thence in 1868 to California. Upon reaching this state he located 
first in Solano county, later in Colusa county, still later in Tehama county, his last residence 
being in Willows, where his death occurred. He is survived by his wife, who makes her home 
in Fresno. 

Until he was three years old F. M. Cook remained in Iowa, his father at that time going to 
Illinois, and in that state he attended the district schools in Scott county. When sixteen 
years old he made the memorable trip to California, crossing the plains with mule teams and 
being four months on the journey. After locating in Solano county he attended the common 
school for a time, remaining at home until attaining his majority. He then engaged in grain- 
raising near Willows and also gave some time to the stock business. In 1884 he removed to 
Fresno county and near Malaga bought new land and set out a fifty-acre vineyard. This he 
conducted successfully for six years, when he came to Orosi, Tulare county. Purchasing sixty 
acres he set it out to grapes, and has realized each year for the last six years from sixty to 
sixty-two tons of fruit. In 1904 he realized sixty-seven tons from forty-four acres. Besides 
the Muscat he has set out the Thompson seedless and has met with a success in its cultivation. 
In addition to the sixty acres already mentioned he owns twenty acres across the road set out 
to Muscat and Thompson seedless ; a twenty-acre vineyard of Zinfandel at Sultana; and twenty 
acres southeast of Sultana, making one hundred and twenty acres in all, all devoted to the culti- 
vation of grapes. The ranch is finely developed and cared for, all being under irrigation. 

In Willows, Cal., Mr. Cook was united in marriage with Sarah Elizabeth Cartwright, a native 
of Iowa, and they are the parents of three children, Francis Elmer, James Ernest and Virgil. 
Mr. Cook has been prominent in his community and has taken an active part in all movements 
calculated to advance the general welfare. For over twelve years he served as school trustee. 
and although a Democrat in national politics never allows his views to stand between him and 
a vote for a man whom he considers qualified to discharge public duties satisfactorily. He is a 
director and stockholder in the Bank of Dinuba. as well as a director in the Alta Irrigation Com- 
pany, being elected to this latter in 1902. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, of Orosi, 
in which be officiates as trustee. Fraternally be was made an Odd Fellow in Fresno in 1886, and 
belongs also to Knights of Pythias of Orosi and Woodmen of the World, being past councillor 
commander. He is also identified with Women of Woodcraft. For some time he was associated 
with the Raisin Growers' Association and was exceedingly active in its work.