Descendants of William Cook

submitted by Elnora Cook-Wyrick

Click here to view Cook Photos
Click here to view McBee Photos

For more information and pictures on these families please see our Home Page:
John & Elnora Cook-Wyrick Families;
http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/w/y/r/Elnora--F-Wyrick/

~~~~~~

Generation No. 1

1. WILLIAM3 COOK (HENRY2, JAMES1) was born Abt. 1829 in (probably) Hinds Co., Mississippi, and died Aft. 1880 in (probably) Texas. He married CYNTHA ANN NALLY 03 March 1853 in Blooming Grove, Navarro Co., TX.. She was born 14 February 1840 in Missouri, and died 23 July 1923 in Calvin, Hughes Co., OK.

Notes for WILLIAM COOK:
William Cook was the oldest son of Henry and Mary Polly (Goodson) Cook, probably born in Hinds County, MS, as that is where Henry had property before coming to the Navarro County area of Texas between 1834 and 1836. Henry served as a Private in the "Militia of the Republic of Texas", for a short period of time. He and his children were ranchers and farmers in the Navarro, Hill, Ellis, Williamson, Milam, Lee, Limestone and Burleson Counties in East Texas. Henry also had land in Jack County, but so far it is not clear when it was purchased or where it was located. Henry lived to be 82 years old, fathering his last child by his second wife, Effie Jane McPhaul, at the age of 81. He lived a long and fruitful life, from his birthplace in Georgia in 1801 to Navarro County, Texas in 1883.

William married Cyntha Ann Nally in 1853, in Navarro County, if her age date is correct, she was only 13 years old at the time, he was age 24 years old. We know nothing more of Cyntha's family have no family history or documents giving any information on the Nally Family. We know that William lived until after 1880 as he is found on the 1880 Census with his family, and have deeds showing his signature, after that we have found nothing.

Brands of Navarro Co., TX; William Cook brand #109, issued 20 April 1850 , recorded as [C2 ] with ear marks that I cannot describe with certainty. There was another brand recorded as [C2] issued to C.W. Campbell #110 dated 27 April 1850.

William is found on the 1850 Census Navarro Co., TX with his parents, brothers and sisters. Found again in 1860 Census Navarro Co., TX with his family, listed as age 32, male, Farmer, born in MS; his wife Cyntha A, age 21, female, born in MO; children,
Mary A. a four year old female, born in TX; Nancy E. a two year old female, born in TX; John W. a seven month old male, born in TX; William, his parents, and none of the family found on 1870 Census in Navarro or any of the neighboring Counties.

Family found again on the 1880 Census, Navarro Co., TX; Listed as;
William, head of household, a white male ,age 51, Farm Laborer, born in MS, Father born in MS; Mother born in MS,
his wife Cyntha a white female, age 46, Keeping House born in MO, Father born in MO, Mother born in MO; with their children;
Thomas, a white male, age 16 single, farm laborer, born in TX;
James H , a white male, age 14 single, farm laborer, born in TX;
Benjamin, a white male, age 12 single, farm laborer, born in TX;
Peyton, a white male, age 9, single, born in TX;
Nora, a white female age 4, single born in TX; and
Walter, a white male, age 1 year, single born in TX;

Confederate Service Records received from the Hill College, Confederate Museum Research Center, Hillsboro, TX; Record shows that William enlisted in Co., G, 15th Texas Infantry, on March 8, 1862. Commanded by W. Melton, they traveled south, and re-enlisted in Velasco on April 12, 1862, Commanded by J. E. Love, period of service to be, for duration of the "War". William is listed as a 33 year old, Private.
Commanding Officer listed as Clinton Fouty, Capt.
From the Record: " The Fifteenth Texas Infantry served in Louisiana and Texas through out its career. On two occasions it was ordered to Arkansas but each time the order was countermanded."
There is a list showing dates and locations for different engagements, the first on this record is; "April 9 to May 14, 1863, in Operations in Western LA and in Teche Country," the last is listed as; Operation against Expedition from Morganza to the Atchafalaya, LA, May 30 to June 8, 1864". "The Fifteenth Texas Infantry remained on duty in Louisiana through the rest of 1864. During most of this period it was stationed near Shreveport. In early 1865 the regiment was ordered to Marshall, Texas. There, according to unofficial sources, It was discharged in late May, 1865."
To date we have found no record of William's death date or location.

More About WILLIAM COOK:
Military: 1862, Confederate Soldier: Fouty's Co., "G",15th TX Infantry Regiment;
Discharge: 1865, Navarro Co., TX
Grv Loc/Fun.Hm: Unknown (probably in Navarro,Co. TX)
Occupation: Farming
Place of Burial: Unknown

Notes for CYNTHA ANN NALLY:
After the 1880 Census in Navarro Co., TX, Cyntha is not found again until 1920 where she is listed on 1920 Census, Hughes Co., Calvin Township OK, living with her son Thomas Jefferson, and wife Mary Alice (Molly) Compton-Cook and their children. She is listed as age 82 years. Son Charles Payton is listed in next numbered residence.
Cyntha was buried beside her daughter (Nora) Cynthia Lenora (Cook) Shropshire-Caldwell and Grandson, James William (Willy) Shropshire in the Spring Creek Cemetery near Calvin, OK; on 23 July 1923,

Children of WILLIAM COOK and CYNTHA NALLY are:
1. i. MARY ANN (MOLLY)4 COOK, b. Abt. 1855, (Prob) Navarro Co., TX; d. 20 September 1934, Paducah, Cottle Co.,TX; m. (1) WILLIAM CHARLIE RUSHING, Abt. 1868, Texas; b. Abt. 1840, TN; d. Bef. 1887, Texas; m. (2) JACK HAYES, 18 June 1887, Navarro Co., TX; m. (3) HENRY RUNNELLS, Aft. 1888; b. Abt. 1855, Texas; d. Abt. 1927, (poss) Canute, Washita Co., OK.

2. ii. NANCY E COOK, b. 1858, (Probably) Navarro Co., TX; d. Unknown, (Probably) died young.

3. iii. JOHN W COOK, b. 1860, (Probably) Navarro Co., TX; d. Unknown, (Probably) died young.

4. iv. THOMAS JEFFERSON COOK, b. 14 May 1863, Navarro Co., TX; d. 08 April 1943, P & S Hospital, Calvin, Hughes Co., OK; m. MARY ALICE (MOLLY) COMPTON, Abt. 1887, (Poss) Jack Co., TX; b. 08 September 1869, Indian Territory, OK; d. 23 August 1954, Hughes Co., OK.

5. v. JAMES H COOK, b. Abt. 1866, (Prob) Navarro Co., TX; d. Unknown, (Probably) died young.

6. vi. BENJAMIN F COOK, b. Abt. 1868, (Prob) Navarro Co., TX; d. Unknown, m. ANNIE COMPTON; b. Abt. 1870, OK; d. Bef. 1918, Calvin, Hughes Co., OK. Noting else is known about this family.

7. vii. CHARLES PAYTON (PATE) COOK, b. 26 February 1872, (Prob) Navarro Co., TX; d. 16 November 1950, Skellytown, Carson Co. Texas; m. AMY NEWMAN, 01 July 1894, Navarro Co., TX.; b. 24 December 1874, Henderson Co., or Navarro Co., Texas; d. 28 March 1960, Skellytown, Carson Co. Texas.

8. viii. CYNTHIA LENORA (NORA) COOK, b. 23 February 1874, Blooming Grove, Navarro Co., TX; d. 05 January 1962, Allen, Hughes Co., OK; m. (1) JAMES BUCHANAN SHROPSHIRE, 28 June 1891, Blooming Grove, Navarro Co., TX.; b. 13 November 1856, Brandon, Rankin Co., MS; d. 06 November 1908, Lafayette, Haskell Co., OK; m. (2) ROBERT W CALDWELL, 17 November 1921, Calvin, Hughes Co., OK; b. Abt. 1850.

9. ix. WALTER C COOK, b. 1879, (Probably) Navarro Co., TX; d. Bef. November 1949, Probably Oklahoma; m. HETTA FLORENCE UNKNOWN, Abt. 1899, Probably Jack Co., TX; b. Abt. 1885, Texas.


Generation No. 2

4. CHARLES PAYTON (PATE)4 COOK (WILLIAM3, HENRY2, JAMES1) was born 26 February 1872 in (Prob) Navarro Co., TX, and died 16 November 1950 in Skellytown, Carson Co. Texas. He married AMY NEWMAN 01 July 1894 in Navarro Co., TX., daughter of SAMUEL NEWMAN and MARY CROFORD. She was born 24 December 1874 in Henderson Co., or Navarro Co., Texas, and died 28 March 1960 in Skellytown, Carson Co. Texas.


Notes for CHARLES PAYTON (PATE) COOK:
Charles Payton (Pate) Cook, born in Navarro Co., TX; 26 February 1872, married Amy Newman, 1 July 1894 in Navarro Co., TX, she was born in Henderson or Navarro Co.,
24 December 1874, after birth of their oldest son James Franklin Cook was born 20 April 1895, they moved to Jack Co., TX where their only daughter and five more sons were born.

Sometime after 1914, when 3 of their sons were shown to have been enrolled in the Winn Hill School Dist, (page 182; "History of Jack Co., Texas",) published 1986, Jack County Genealogical Society, they left for Oklahoma, settling for awhile near Calvin, Hughes Co., OK; leaving for Skellytown, Carson Co., Texas between 1925-1929, where they lived until their deaths; Pate on 16 November 1950 and Amy on 28 March1960.

When Pate died, most of the town turned out for his funeral, the same "Testimony" that he had repeated faithfully every Sunday, for all the years he was a member of the Assembly of God Church was read, most of the church members knew it by heart. His Obituary reported that Grandpa had 73 grandchildren at the time of his death.
Pate's "Death Certificate", stated that he had been a resident of Skellytown, for 21 years prior to his death.

His son "Elmer Jefferson Cook", shared that Grandpa played the ( fiddle) at social functions. My memory of him is that he smoked a very short stemmed corncob pipe, actually held it in his mouth, don't really remember him smoking it much.
Grandson, Paul, remembered that Grandpa did smoke the pipe and used
(Cotton Bole Twist Tobacco) in it. I also remember his freckles and very ruddy complexion and sandy, reddish colored hair.

Grandson Lonnie shared some of his memories of our Grandfather with me:
"Grandpa came to see them everyday while Lonnie's family still lived in Skellytown, and Grandpa stated that "He had to see all of his little kids everyday", Grandpa would play his fiddle for Lonnie and older brother Everet , their favorite song was (The Tennessee Traveler), which Grandpa spoke the word to, while he played, speeding up the tempo as he went until the boys were rolling in the floor laughing with great delight."

Lonnie also supported the "Family Legend" that I had heard about Grandpa Cook, and ask him about, which was this:
Seems Grandpa Cook (was known to drink abit too much at times), but at one time, he got hold of some (Bad Whiskey, "ROTGUT") and fearing he would die, he begged Grandma to call all the "SAINTS" from the Church (which she attended regularly) to "Please", come and pray for him, which she did, and from that Day on He never took another drink of Alcohol.

Grandson Paul shared a few more stories about Grandpa, one of his favorites was:
"When Grandpa was about 16/17 years old, weighing only about 75 lbs. he rode race horses as a Jockey for some prominent Ranchers in the area (Paul seems to remember the name "Dare Bros", but not sure), during moves from one race area to another town many times they had to stay overnight on the trail, and on many of these moves Grandpa and others helping with the move had to "Ward off Rustlers, trying to steal the valuable Horses", those stories included "Fierce Gun Battles", and much to the delight of his young listeners he would emphasize the "GUN BATTLES STRONGLY".

Great Granddaughter Gloria shared one of her favorite memories about her Great Grandfather Pate Cook, which was, "while they were visiting with him in 1948/49 he was smoking his (short, stubby, little) corn cob pipe when the Preacher came to visit them, and Great Grandpa was embarrassed so he hurriedly stuck it is his pocket, ( tobacco still BURNING!), well needless to say, the pipe got hot, burned his leg and scorched his clothes, and he had to remove it (FAST) and the Preacher found out anyway"

Grandson Lloyd helped Grandpa out by taking over the "garbage pickup route" for Grandpa, when He went to California to visit, his other Sons and Grandchildren. Grandpa picked up discarded produce from the local stores, and restaurants to use for his chickens and any other livestock that he happened to have. Grandpa used a large wheelbarrow, and had a 6 inch groove worn in the path he took to those local stores, from taking the very same route each day. He stopped by their house on his way home, and visited with them every day.

Four of his sons went to California, two leaving in the mid 1930s and two leaving in 1942
a few days apart. This was during the Dust Bowl period, and farming was proving to be difficult. Often referred to as the "Grapes of Wrath ", as many people took all of their belonging on the back of a truck, covered by a tarp. This is the way his last two sons traveled, and we have a picture of Frank and his family, but none of the other Son's families, as they were leaving.
Our Family treasures this picture and are very proud that we have one, to document this part of our family history.

More About CHARLES PAYTON (PATE) COOK:
Place of Burial: 17 November 1950, Fairview Cemetery, Pampa, Gray Co., TX.
Grv Loc/Fun.Hm: Poston Funeral Hm., Pampa, TX
Occupation: Janitorial, Farming
Religion: Assemblies of God; Pentecostal

Notes for AMY NEWMAN:
This information taken from family history, and information provided by Granddaughter Irene, that Amy's mother, "Mary (unproved) Croford or Crawford" (spelling ?) died when Grandma was very young, and she was raised by her step mother "Mary Molly Hannah-Newman".
Her "Death Certificate", stated that she had been a resident of Skellytown, TX for 38 years prior to her death:

Amy's Father, Samuel Newman Sr., born in about 1837 in New York, served as a "Sharp Shooter" in the Civil War, C.S.A.9th MO, Co D, Parsons Brigade, Pendals Battl'n,
1861 until discharge in 1865.
He homesteaded and farmed in Young and Jack County, Texas, dying in Young County in 1925, He is buried in the Winn Hill Cemetery in Jack County, Texas. Many descendants of His family still live in that area as well as in the Panhandle area.

My memory of her was that she smelled like face powder and Lavender Toilet Water,
when I hugged her, she also wore a very fine hair net on her always very neatly combed hair.

Granddaughter Sandra remembers when she was quite young, going with Grandma to Jack County, to attend funeral of Her sister in-law, Mrs Samuel Newman (Lannie (Green) Newman) and as was often customary, that the "Deceased" lay in the family home over night before the funeral. Well they stayed in that house also and Sandra was scared out of her wits, but Grandma as usual comforted and explained the family tradition well enough to allow Sandra to get a good nights sleep.

OBITUARY PUBLISHED IN AMARILLO DAILY NEWS, Amarillo, TX. 29 March 1960: Mrs. Amy Cook, Pampa, March 28 (Special)-- Funeral services are pending at Duenkel-Carmichael Funeral Home for Mrs. Amy cook, 85, who died at 7a.m. today in the home of her son-in-law, I.N. Howard, of Skellytown. Mrs Cook was born Dec.24, 1874, in Henderson Co., TX; and was a member of the Skellytown Assembly of God Church. She is survived by four sons, Frank of Canadian, Arch of Santa Maria, Calif., Elmer of Huron, Calif, and Vester of Skellytown; two sisters, including Mrs Beatrice Shelton, of Stinnett; and Earl Wilton of Jermyn, Tex.

More About AMY NEWMAN:
Place of Burial: Fairview Cemetery, Pampa, Gray Co., TX
Grv Loc/Fun.Hm: Duenkel-Carmichial Funeral Hm. Pampa,TX
Occupation: Home Maker
Religion: Assemblies of God; Pentecostal

Children of CHARLES COOK and AMY NEWMAN are:
i. JAMES FRANKLIN5 COOK, b. 20 April 1895, Navarro Co., TX; d. 1991, Canadian,
Hemphill Co., TX; m. EFFIE LEE SINGLETON, 28 June 1914, Young Co., TX; b. 28
December 1897, Parker Co., Texas; d. 15 September 1965, Skellytown, Carson Co. TX.

Notes for JAMES FRANKLIN COOK:
Frank, Effie and family moved to the Skellytown area about the same time his parents did,
staying for a few years, then leaving for California in 1942. They lived there for only a few years, and then returned to the Texas Panhandle, living in different locations in the area for awhile before settling in Canadian, until their deaths.

More About JAMES FRANKLIN COOK:
Burial: Canadian, Hemphill Co., TX

More About EFFIE LEE SINGLETON:
Burial: Canadian, Hemphill Co., TX

ii. RETTIE ANN COOK, b. 05 April 1897, Jacksboro, Jack Co., TX; d. 27 November
1953, Skellytown, Carson Co., Texas; m. ISAAC NEWTON (NEWTIE) II HOWARD,
Bef. 1920; b. 30 August 1890, Montague County, TX; d. 28 November 1967, Amarillo,
Potter Co., Texas.

Notes for RETTIE ANN COOK:
"Death Certificate.", which stated that "Rettie Ann Cook-Howard" had been a resident of Skellytown, TX for 23 years prior to her death.

My favorite memory of her was her little canary bird and that fascinating cage it was in.
At four years old I thought it was the most wonderful thing I had ever seen and insisted on trying to swing the cage, which I accomplished by moving a chair over to reach it.
She told me "No" repeatedly, finally issuing a final "Stop", threatening to spank me.
I told her, "My Mamma did her own spanking" and she laughed so hard she couldn't spank me then, so she just moved all of the chairs out of the room the 'Bird" was in.

More About RETTIE ANN COOK:
Place of Burial: Fairview Cemetery, Pampa, Gray Co., TX
Grv Loc/Fun.Hm: Duenkel-Carmichial Funeral Hm. Pampa,TX
Occupation: Home Maker
Religion: Protestant

More About ISAAC NEWTON (NEWTIE) II HOWARD:
Occupation: Pumper: Northern Natural Gas Co., Janitorial, Elementary School in Skellytown, TX.
Place of Burial: Fairview Cem. Pampa, Gray Co., TX
Religion: Protestant

iii. SAMUEL PAYTON COOK, b. January 1901, Jacksboro, Jack Co., TX; d. 26 June
1955, Newport, Lincoln Co., OR; m. LAURA ETHEL COMPTON, Abt. 1921; b. 04
August 1906, Indianola, Hughes Co., OK.; d. 23 April 1980, Santa Maria, Santa Barbara
Co., CA..

Notes for SAMUEL PAYTON COOK:
Sam, Ethel and their family moved to the Texas Panhandle about the same time his parents did, but did not stay too long, moving on; first to Arizona, then on to California in the mid 1930s, living in different locations before ending up in the coastal area of Santa Maria, CA.

Sam, was an Outdoorsman, he hunted local game, (bear, deer and rabbits) on one visit while we were eating dinner, he told me we were eating "Bear meat", which he had shot in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. Sam and his sons, loved fishing, going as often as possible. One of his sons went on to be a Commercial Fisherman, others also worked in the Commercial Fishing, Lumber and Agricultural Industries.

More About SAMUEL PAYTON COOK:
Burial: IOOF Cemetery, Newport, Lincoln Co., OR
Religion: Protestant

More About LAURA ETHEL COMPTON:
Ethel and Bertha Compton were sisters.
Burial: Santa Maria Cemetery, Santa Maria, SB Co., CA.
Religion: Protestant

iv. JESSE HARLAN (HALL) COOK, b. 13 April 1903, Graham,Young Co., TX; d. 06
September 1958, Fresno, Fresno Co., CA.; m. BERTHA LEE COMPTON, 1921; b. 15
March 1905, Pauls Valley, Garvin Co., OK.; d. 31 October 1986, Fresno, Fresno Co.,CA..

Notes for JESSE HARLAN (HALL) COOK:
Jesse, Bertha and their family moved to the Texas Panhandle with his parents for a few years then moved first to AZ, then on to CA with his brother Sam and his family, they settled in the Fresno County, area where they lived until their deaths. (Hall) as he was called, was a farmer raising and working with fruit and nut trees, grapes, cotton and alfalfa.

More About JESSE HARLAN (HALL) COOK:
Place of Burial: 09 September 1958, Fowler Dist. Cemetery, Fowler, Fresno Co., CA
Grv Loc/Fun.Hm: Sec/E-Lot/32-Space/5
Occupation: Farming

More About BERTHA LEE COMPTON:
Bertha and Ethel Compton were sisters.
Grv Loc/Fun.Hm: Sec/F-Lot/84-Sp/3
Occupation: Home Maker
Place of Burial: 03 November 1986, Fowler Dist. Cemetery, Fowler, Fresno Co., CA
Religion: Protestant

v. ARCHIE MARION COOK, b. 10 March 1905, Jacksboro, Jack Co., TX; d. 10 May
1980, Santa Maria, Santa Barbara Co., CA.; m. (1) DELPHA BURGETT, Abt. 1930; b.
Abt. 1910; d. Abt. 1955; m. (2) LAURA ETHEL COMPTON, 30 May 1956, Tucumcari,
Quay Co., NM; b. 04 August 1906, Indianola, Hughes Co., OK.; d. 23 April 1980, Santa
Maria, Santa Barbara Co., CA..

Notes for ARCHIE MARION COOK:
Archie remained in the Skellytown area, where his children were born and working in the Oilfields, for many years. He also farmed in Shallowater, Lubbock Co., TX.
After he was widowed and his brother Sam passed away he married his sister in-law Ethel.
They lived on the California Coast until their deaths only a few weeks apart in 1980.

More About ARCHIE MARION COOK:
Occupation: Oil Field, Farming
Place of Burial: 14 May 1980, Santa Maria Cem.,Santa Barbara Co., CA

More About LAURA ETHEL COMPTON:
Ethel and Bertha Compton were sisters.
Burial: Santa Maria Cemetery, Santa Maria, SB Co., CA.

vi. ELMER JEFFERSON COOK, b. 22 June 1907, Jeannette, Jack Co. TX.; d. 13
May 1983, Fresno, Fresno Co. CA.; m. ROSIE LEEONIA MCBEE, 24 March
1930, Hollis, Harmon Co. OK.; b. 10 January 1913, Oil City, Carter Co., OK; d. 20
January 1996, Amarillo, Potter Co. TX..

Notes for ELMER JEFFERSON COOK:
Dad and Mom met while living in Skellytown they were neighbors. They eloped to Hollis Oklahoma where they were married on March 24, 1930. They remained in Skellytown until after six of their seven children were born, most being delivered in the family home by "Old DocYork".

Dad secured work at the Carbon Black Plant, and other oil field type jobs, like rough necking on drilling rigs, inspecting or installing pipeline while living in Texas. He also worked on a wheat farm, where we also lived. I remember the "Harvesting Crew", once, there was a whole bunch of men and machines in the wheat field beside our house and lots of dust, and activity, I learned this was called harvesting. Not sure which ranch it was on the "Tom Eller or McConnell Ranch".

While living on this ranch we used a Windmill for our water, and kerosene lamps for our light. Not long before we moved from there Dad found a way to hook up a battery to
the windmill to power the first radio we had ever heard or seen.
The Folks moved to Iowa Park, TX, to work for a short period in 1937, but returned to Carson County.

Research shows the population of Skellytown, Carson Co., TX was only 400, in 1941 when we left there, arriving in Fowler, Fresno Co., CA, at the home of His older brother Jesse Harlan Cook. on 21 August 1941:

Our trip to California was made in a 1929 International truck, with a canvas tarp over the bed, where us six children rode, with everything we owned, it was a real adventure to me. I remember the canvas water bags hanging on the radiator, the 10 gallon milk can where our drinking water was, the flat topped trunk where Mom spread our food, and the long slow hot days it took us to get across the desert. We stayed one or two nights at what we called "Tourist Courts", we had to put our own bedding on the beds, I think there was a stove to cook on and a sink to wash in, don't remember a bathroom. I also remember sleeping beside the road one night; the two oldest boys, slept on the ground, I remember Mom worrying about coyotes, snakes and spiders, but they all pooh-poohed her concern and had a peaceful night. I remember how quiet it was and how big the moon was, we could see it through the back of the truck where we were sleeping with Mom and Dad. I also remember the very steep hill we had to climb, with the truck just crawling and some steam coming out of the radiator but when we got to the top there was the "Boulder Dam", what a sight to see. It was huge, very noisy, and very wide.

Dad was also know by "EJ or El and Cookie" by many of his friends and family. He loved to tell cute jokes and stories of his childhood, and to recite whimsical nursery rhymes to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, one we all remember in particular is, " HAD A LITTLE MULE, HIS NAME WAS "JACK", RODE HIS TAIL TO SAVE HIS BACK, HIS TALE POPPED OFF AND I FELL BACK----"WHOA))))) JACK"!!!! While he trotted us on his knee.

Dad's left foot was crippled when he was very young by a mesquite thorn, that was never properly removed. He walked with a limp the rest of his life. He loved to tell stories of his childhood, and his escapades with his brothers, hunting, fishing working together with their Father to help support the family. He told of many of the good times, and made the hard times sound romantic and happy due to the close family ties and joint efforts to help the family through them.

His older brother James Franklin (Frank) left for California 5 days before we did, according to his daughter Geraldine, (see the picture of their family). Brothers; Samuel Payton and Jessie Harlan [Hall], were already in California when we got there, and were very supportive in helping us get settled here, when we came in 1941. They both shared their homes until we could find a house, and helped Dad find work, teaching us all how to pick grapes, peaches, nectarines, and pick up walnuts. Needless to say he enjoyed getting caught up on all of his brothers adventures since seeing them last, as they had come to California several years earlier, and there were also a few new Nieces and Nephews to meet too.

We almost always lived where we could have a garden, and livestock. We raised chickens, for both eggs and meat, and we very often had a milk cow, butchered our own beef and pork as we had them, all of which He tended with tender loving care.

During the mid 1940s my parents butchered one of our very large hogs, at our house, some of the Uncles, Aunts and Grandparents helped them with it. We younger children were allowed to watch and the older ones helped. They had everything set up to hang the animal after it was killed, the large frame the animal was hung from was over a large tub of water sitting over a fire and they dipped the animal into the very hot water, then with extremely sharp knives they scraped all of the hair off of the hide. They then skinned it, and cut the hog into all of the parts that we are familiar with, ham, bacon, chops, roast, etc.

While all of that was going on, my Mother also had a large tub sitting over a fire and she took the skin of the hog, and after washing it very well she took all of the fat from the skin keeping it separate, then she cut up the skin into small strips, putting all of them into the hot tub, stirring them until they were very crisp and crunchy, "Wal-la", we had what we called "Chittlins", but many people today call them "Pork Rinds". After that was done, she used the lard she had saved to help make "Lye Soap", and of course she had help from the Aunts, Grandmother and all of us children that were old enough to be of help.
Another treat from that hog was the pickled pigs feet she made, we used the entire animal including some of the intestine tubes for the sausage they made. Butchering and processing an animal took several days to complete and was very hard work, but it was also a time to gather and help each other, and visit.
I do not remember that our family did any more of our own butchering this way, most of them after that one were done by a butchering company and processed for cold storage.

Dad had little schooling, [could not read or write; except to sign his name] but he was good with numbers and was a shrewd trader and enjoyed doing so very much. He was willing to do whatever it took to get ahead, putting in long hours in the fields, often coming home late and then helping to do the chores at home.

He almost always wore bib overalls, (when he was younger he wore waist pants more often). We called his Levi Jacket; a " Jumper Jacket", and he usually wore blue chambray long sleeved work shirts, rolling the sleeves under up to his elbow, just enough to show his "Tattoo" on the outside of his right arm just below his elbow, which was his initials "E.J." . Dad also had a pocket watch that hung on a braided leather thong, and he tucked it into one of the bib pockets of his overalls. When it was cold he would wear a pair of waist pants (as he called them) under the overalls to keep him warm, and he always wore a cowboy hat. We did succeed in getting him to wear a tie and Sport Coat once in awhile, for very special occasions, but mostly he preferred his overalls.

Dad whittled his own toothpicks from wooden kitchen matches which he used after every meal, and never went to a dentist, brushing his teeth every morning with a little baking soda and salt, he had all of his teeth when he passed away.
He used "Star" chewing tobacco, and occasionally smoked small cigars.

Dad enjoyed Country Western Music very much, especially "Roy Acuff, and Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys". He talked often of going to "Ho Downs" where Grandpa Cook played the fiddle, and watching everyone dance.

We lived in Fresno County most of my growing up years. After most of us children left home, the folks also lived in Huron, Laton and Madera, CA, returning to Fowler where they lived for 13 years before Dad passed away May 1983.

OBITURAY:
Fresno Bee Newspaper, 14 May 1983:
"Fowler, CA. Services for Elmer J. Cook, 75, will be held at 11a.m. Tuesday at Fowler Funeral Chapel. Burial will be in Fowler District Cemetery. Mr. Cook died Friday. He was born in Texas and lived in Fresno County, for 42 years. Mr. Cook was a member of the Calvary Tabernacle Church in Fowler, CA. Surviving are his wife, Rosie; three sons, Bobby D. of Fresno, Ronnie J. of Fountain Valley and Ralph of Fremont; four daughters, Elnora Hendrick of Fresno, Pamela Ogletree of Madera, Dortha Spangler of Arkansas and Juanita Wadley of Oklahoma; two brothers, Frank and Vester, both of Texas; 22 grandchildren; and 28 great-grandchildren: Visitation will be held 2-8pm today at the chapel."

More About ELMER JEFFERSON COOK:
Occupation: Oilfield, Farm Labor Contractor, Farm Work
Grv Loc/Fun.Hm: Sec/F-Lot/100-Grave/10
Place of Burial: 17 May 1983, Fowler Dist. Cemetery, Fowler, Fresno Co., CA
Religion: Pentecostal Holiness

Notes for ROSIE LEEONIA MCBEE:
Mother was the Glue that held our family together, she was a strong role model for all of us, she pushed us all to attend school, often helping us with our school work. She worked in the fields with us, then took care of all of the other chores that kept the household going. She insisted that we all, boys and girls learn to cook and do the chores of our home. She taught us how to mend our clothes, and make quilts tops from clothes that were no longer mendable.
In her late 70s she made quilts for most of her grandchildren. She remarried at age 75, to Robert W. Scott, they shared a comfortable happy time together, and the day we planned for 80th birthday party, Robert passed away. She lived another 3 years, passing away in Amarillo, Texas, on the way home from her oldest daughter's home in Oklahoma. A new Great Great Granddaughter was born the day she was buried;

20 January 1996:
Obituary: Listed in the Fresno Bee Newspaper: published on 23 January 1998;
Rosie Leeonia Cook, of Fresno, January 20, 1996. Age 83. She was a Homemaker. She is survived by her sons, Ralph Eugene Cook and Bobby Don Cook, both of Fremont, CA., and Ronnie J Cook, of Fountain Valley,CA; Daughters, Juanita Rose Wadley of Oklahoma, Dortha D.Spangler of Woodlake, CA., Elnora Frances Wyrick and Pamela Elaine Knight, both of Fresno, CA. 21 Grandchildren, and numerous Great and Great Great Grandchildren. A grave side service will be held at Fowler Dist. Cemetery on Thursday, January 25, 1996, at 2p.m. Visitation will be held at Wallin's Fowler Funeral Home on Wednesday, January 24, 1996, from 3p.m. to 7p.m. (Wallin's Fowler Funeral Home) Fowler.

More About ROSIE LEEONIA MCBEE:
Occupation: Homemaker, Housekeeper, Farm Labor Contractor
Burial: 25 January 1996, Fowler Dist. Cemetery, Fowler, Fresno Co., CA
Grv Loc/Fun.Hm: Sec F-Lot 100-Grave 9
Religion: Pentecostal Holiness

Marriage Notes for ELMER COOK and ROSIE MCBEE:
50th Wedding anniversary celebrated on July 6 1980, attended by many family and friends. Held at the City Park in Fowler, Ca. They were Wonderfully Loving Parents, Their Memory's will live forever in our hearts and guide our lives.

vii. VESTER COOK, b. 19 February 1910, Jacksboro, Jack Co., TX; d. 11 May 1995,
Pampa, Gray Co., TX; m. OPAL MAE ROBERTSON, 24 February 1934, Skellytown,
Carson Co., TX; b. 10 March 1919, Sand Springs, Creek Co., OK; d. 10 May 1992,
Pampa, Gray Co., TX.

Notes for VESTER COOK:
Vester also played the Fiddle, He and Opal remained in Skellytown, Carson County until
their deaths. They raised their children there, and are buried there.

Go back to McBee Family Genealogy