Charles Benjamin Cook, a pioneer of the San Joaquin valley and for many years a resident of this county, died in Oakland yesterday on his 59th birthday and will be buried here to-morrow morning from the mortuary chapel. He was a native of San Joaquin county and was the son of Joshua C. and Maria Sheridan Cook, natives of Virginia and England respectively. Through his mother, who died recently, he was a descendant of General Phillip Sherman and a distant relative of Benjamin Franklin. The early life of deceased was spent in Merced county, where his father engaged in sheep and cattle raising, and for many years the son followed the farming occupation of his father, and was afterwards engaged in business in Merced Fails. At the age of 22 he was married to Mollie Shockley, sister of Sol Shockley of this city. Three years ago he moved to Oakland. His death, occurring yesterday, came as a climax of failing health for a number of months. He is survived by the widow, a son, Edgar H. Cook, of Oakland; a daughter, Mrs. G. F. Coddington, and a brother, James Cook, of Merced. The remains were shipped to Merced to-day and the hour for the funeral has been set at 10 o'clock tomorrow morning. Interment will be made in the I. O. O. F. cemetery. — Merced Sun, Oct. 11. [Mariposa Gazette (California), Sat., 16 Oct 1915, pg. 1]
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1900 Census, Merced, Merced, CA:
Charles B Cook, 39, m at 19, b Oct 1860, CA, fthr IA, mthr Ireland, day laborer.
Shockley, wife, 42, 3 born/liv, b Sep 1857, KY, fthr MD, mthr KY.
James, son, 17, b Nov 1882, CA, apprentice blacksmith.
Edgar, son, 11, b Jan 1889, CA, at school.
Carrie B, 8, b Nov 1891, CA.
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1910 Census, E. Merced, Merced, CA:
Charles B Cook, 50, m1, m 28 yrs, b CA, fthr IA, mthr Ireland, retail merchant–liquors.
Mollie, wife, 50, m1, 3 born/liv, b KY, fthr MD, mthr VA.
Carrie B, dtr, 18, b CA.