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.

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).

The library can only claim physical ownership of the collection. Users are responsible for satisfying any claimants of literary property.

Collection is open for research by appointment only.