Descriptive Summary
Administrative Information
Access Points
Biography
Scope and Content
Descriptive Summary
Title: Travis-Cook family papers,
Date (inclusive): 1851-1965
Collection number: Ms20
Creator:
Extent: 0.5 linear ft.
Repository:
San Joaquin County Museum.
Language:
English.
Administrative Information
Access
Collection is open for research by appointment only.
Publication Rights
The library can only claim physical ownership of the collection. Users are responsible for satisfying any claimants of literary
property.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Travis-Cook family papers, Ms20, San Joaquin County Historical Society and Museum.
Access Points
personal name
Louisa Travis Bridwell Reyner (1835-1907)
Rhonda Jane Travis Bowers (1841-1914)
Richard Travis (b. 1839?)
John W. Bowers (1841-1898)
Mary Ella Bridwell Cook (b. 1860)
Clarence E. Cook (d. 1916)
Francis "Frank" Reyner, Jr. (1874-1962)
Clarice E. Cook Knowland Gilchrist (1902-1979)
corporate name
Bowers (J.W.) Company (Stockton, Calif.)
subject
Merchants - California - Stockton
Contractors - California - Stockton
Business records - California - Stockton
Photographs - California - San Joaquin County
Legal documents - California - San Joaquin County
geographic name
Banta (Calif.) - History - Sources
Stockton (Calif.) - History - Sources
Biography
Richard Travis came overland with his family to California in 1865. One of his daughters, Louisa (1835-1907), married Frederick
Bridwell (d. 1872), while the other daughter, Rhoda Jane (1841-1914), married John W. Bowers (1841-1898), a fruit and vegetable
dealer in Stockton. Travis' son, also named Richard Travis (b. 1839?), farmed for a time in Tracy, San Joaquin County, then
moved to Stockton (c1900). Louisa and Frederick Bridwell had a daughter, Mary Ella (b.1860). After Bridwell's premature death
(1872), his wife married Francis Reyner, a farmer of Banta, San Joaquin County (1873). Mary Ella kept Reyner's Banta property
as late as 1936. The Reyners had a son, also named Francis, but known as "Frank" (1874-1962). He too farmed in Banta for most
of his life. Mary Ella Bridwell married (1898) Stockton building contractor, Clarence E. Cook (d. 1916). Cook served as San
Joaquin County Deputy Recorder from 1909 until his death. Following this marriage, the Cooks lived in Stockton. They had one
daughter, Clarice (1902-1979), who married Joseph R. Knowland, publisher of the Oakland Tribune (1952).
Scope and Content
The Travis-Cook Family Papers contain Travis family genealogies; correspondence and other papers of Rhoda Jane Travis Bowers
(1859-1914); business papers of John W. Bowers (1894-1895); correspondence of Richard Travis (1909-1910); correspondence and
other papers of Mary Ella Bridwell Cook (1890-1936); correspondence of Clarence E. Cook (1900-1901) and his father William
(1874); correspondence of Frank Reyner (1897-1898); the will of Mrs. Frank Reyner (1965);
papers of Clarice E. Cook (1912; 1952); clippings and photographs.