Cornelius was born in Michigan. Cornelius's father and mother were born in Holland. Cornelius was married at 21 years of age to Cornelia Eelman. They had three children: Albert, Leona and another child (name unknown) who died at a young age.
Cornelius had an interesting and varied career, showing a capacity to adapt himself to a variety of situations. After learning the machinist trade, he worked in a bicycle shop; next an automobile factory, then a wagon factory. For some time he was foreman in a woodworking factory in Holland, Mich. While holding this position he traveled quite extensively in the interest of the business, covering almost every State in the Union. He later relinquished his foremanship with this company to engage in business for himself, operating a machine shop at Sturgis, Mich. Two years later he sold the machine shop and moved to Chicago. There he was engaged in the mercantile business until a fire destroyed the contents of the store. His investment in the business was a total loss. Leaving Chicago he went to Denver, Colo., and resumed work at the machinist trade. After 3 years in Denver he went to San Francisco, Ca., and continued to work at his trade for about 3 years, then went to Los Angeles. Here he soon found employment at his trade and continued to work until he reached the age of 50. Then he was told by his employer that he was too old to work and was laid off. Undaunted, he launched out into a new field in which he had no previous experience - the building industry. For 20 years he built and sold houses in Los Angeles. When World War II broke out there was a tremendous demand for machinists; so, at the age of 72 he returned to his trade once more. Six years later, at the age of 78, he voluntarily quit. This time his employer did not tell him he was too old.
While in San Francisco, Ca., according to the 1930 U.S. Census, Cornelius and Cornelia Rooks lived at the Hotel Irwin, 108 4th St., San Francisco, Ca. The Hotel no longer exists but was located at approximately on or near the corner of 4th St. and Mission St.
Cornelius had an interesting and varied career, showing a capacity to adapt himself to a variety of situations. After learning the machinist trade, he worked in a bicycle shop; next an automobile factory, then a wagon factory. For some time he was foreman in a woodworking factory in Holland, Mich. While holding this position he traveled quite extensively in the interest of the business, covering almost every State in the Union. He later relinquished his foremanship with this company to engage in business for himself, operating a machine shop at Sturgis, Mich. Two years later he sold the machine shop and moved to Chicago. There he was engaged in the mercantile business until a fire destroyed the contents of the store. His investment in the business was a total loss. Leaving Chicago he went to Denver, Colo., and resumed work at the machinist trade. After 3 years in Denver he went to San Francisco, Ca., and continued to work at his trade for about 3 years, then went to Los Angeles. Here he soon found employment at his trade and continued to work until he reached the age of 50. Then he was told by his employer that he was too old to work and was laid off. Undaunted, he launched out into a new field in which he had no previous experience - the building industry. For 20 years he built and sold houses in Los Angeles. When World War II broke out there was a tremendous demand for machinists; so, at the age of 72 he returned to his trade once more. Six years later, at the age of 78, he voluntarily quit. This time his employer did not tell him he was too old.
While in San Francisco, Ca., according to the 1930 U.S. Census, Cornelius and Cornelia Rooks lived at the Hotel Irwin, 108 4th St., San Francisco, Ca. The Hotel no longer exists but was located at approximately on or near the corner of 4th St. and Mission St.
Cornelius was born in Michigan. Cornelius's father and mother were born in Holland. Cornelius was married at 21 years of age to Cornelia Eelman. They had three children: Albert, Leona and another child (name unknown) who died at a young age.
Cornelius had an interesting and varied career, showing a capacity to adapt himself to a variety of situations. After learning the machinist trade, he worked in a bicycle shop; next an automobile factory, then a wagon factory. For some time he was foreman in a woodworking factory in Holland, Mich. While holding this position he traveled quite extensively in the interest of the business, covering almost every State in the Union. He later relinquished his foremanship with this company to engage in business for himself, operating a machine shop at Sturgis, Mich. Two years later he sold the machine shop and moved to Chicago. There he was engaged in the mercantile business until a fire destroyed the contents of the store. His investment in the business was a total loss. Leaving Chicago he went to Denver, Colo., and resumed work at the machinist trade. After 3 years in Denver he went to San Francisco, Ca., and continued to work at his trade for about 3 years, then went to Los Angeles. Here he soon found employment at his trade and continued to work until he reached the age of 50. Then he was told by his employer that he was too old to work and was laid off. Undaunted, he launched out into a new field in which he had no previous experience - the building industry. For 20 years he built and sold houses in Los Angeles. When World War II broke out there was a tremendous demand for machinists; so, at the age of 72 he returned to his trade once more. Six years later, at the age of 78, he voluntarily quit. This time his employer did not tell him he was too old.
While in San Francisco, Ca., according to the 1930 U.S. Census, Cornelius and Cornelia Rooks lived at the Hotel Irwin, 108 4th St., San Francisco, Ca. The Hotel no longer exists but was located at approximately on or near the corner of 4th St. and Mission St.
Cornelius had an interesting and varied career, showing a capacity to adapt himself to a variety of situations. After learning the machinist trade, he worked in a bicycle shop; next an automobile factory, then a wagon factory. For some time he was foreman in a woodworking factory in Holland, Mich. While holding this position he traveled quite extensively in the interest of the business, covering almost every State in the Union. He later relinquished his foremanship with this company to engage in business for himself, operating a machine shop at Sturgis, Mich. Two years later he sold the machine shop and moved to Chicago. There he was engaged in the mercantile business until a fire destroyed the contents of the store. His investment in the business was a total loss. Leaving Chicago he went to Denver, Colo., and resumed work at the machinist trade. After 3 years in Denver he went to San Francisco, Ca., and continued to work at his trade for about 3 years, then went to Los Angeles. Here he soon found employment at his trade and continued to work until he reached the age of 50. Then he was told by his employer that he was too old to work and was laid off. Undaunted, he launched out into a new field in which he had no previous experience - the building industry. For 20 years he built and sold houses in Los Angeles. When World War II broke out there was a tremendous demand for machinists; so, at the age of 72 he returned to his trade once more. Six years later, at the age of 78, he voluntarily quit. This time his employer did not tell him he was too old.
While in San Francisco, Ca., according to the 1930 U.S. Census, Cornelius and Cornelia Rooks lived at the Hotel Irwin, 108 4th St., San Francisco, Ca. The Hotel no longer exists but was located at approximately on or near the corner of 4th St. and Mission St.
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