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Subject: [CASANFRA] JIC Bio of C. H. Crocker
Date: Wed, 21 May 2003 19:04:24 EDT


These are Biographies from the below named book, all relating to San
Francisco before 1915. Although it states Journalism in California, many different
professions are included. Their lives are interesting to note as to how they
helped shape San Francisco through the early years.



JOURNALISM IN CALIFORNIA

BY JOHN P. YOUNG

Pacific Coast and Exposition Biographies

CHRONICLE PUBLISHING COMPANY
San Francisco, California
1915

Page 227

Great Men and Great Men's Achievements
Form the Background for
California's Progress
Page 253

Charles H. Crocker

The correct way thoroughly to learn a business or profession is to start in
at the bottom and work one's way upward until the highest pinnacle is attained.
The man who does this is reasonable certain that when he at length reaches
the goal he will be able to maintain himself there; the man who gets there by
the money or influence route is, on the other hand, as the insurance agent
would say, a decidedly bad risk.
When H. S. Crocker, founder of the flourishing publishing and stationery
house of H. S. Crocker Company, introduced into the business his son, Charles
Henry Crocker, he encouraged the young man to befit right at the beginning and
work his way up. Charles H. Crocker heeded the advice and followed it.
Today he is at the head of the business.
Mr. Crocker was born August 29, 1865, at Sacramento, in whose pubic
schools he received his early training. When nine years old he came to San
Francisco with his parents and attended the public schools of this city,
matriculating in 1883 at the University of California. He was graduated in 1887 with the
degree of A. B. His business training began at once.
The house of Crocker was established in 1856 at Sacramento. In 1872 the
San Francesco branch was opened and gradually the branch outgrew the parent
establishment, although the latter is still maintained. In 1890 the business
was incorporated under the name of H. S. Crocker Company. In 1912 the stationery
and publishing concern of Cunningham, Curtiss & Welch of San Francesco and
Los Angeles was purchased. This gives the Crocker company three houses, those
at San Francisco and Sacramento under its own name and that at Los Angeles
retaining the name of Cunningham, Curtiss & Welsh Company. (Note: Welsh and Welch
is correct as to the article.)
At the outset the present Mr. Crocker became an apprentice in his
father's lithographing department. There was no favoritism shown him, no lessening
of his work because he was the proprietor's son. Successively, he passed
through the printing, binding, engraving and stationery branches, then gained
experience as a clerk and at length, proving his general capability, was elected
one of the company directors. Subsequently he became treasurer, then
vice-president, and upon the death in 1904 of his father, assumed the presidency.
A great deal of the satisfying growth of the combined concern has been
due to the unremitting work of Mr. Crocker. Today the H. S. Crocker Company is
the largest of its kind west of Chicago. Its stationary, manufacturing and
selling department is one of the largest in the United States and it owns the
biggest and most up-to-date printing plant this side of St. Louis. Its book
stock funds are into the millions and it also does a large business in office
furniture and fixtures.
What with the exceptional service the company has given in the past,
together with an even better service at present made possible by an extension of
its plant, "Crocker Quality" has come to have a great deal of significance.
Every contract accepted by the H. S. Crocker Company in printing, binding and
lithographing is manufactured complete in its own factory, by skilled mechanics;
and every bit of work passes through hands of exacting inspectors to insure
its faultlessness and growth. This firm is the pioneer railroad ticket printer
of the west. Crocker lithographs and blank books, like Crocker stationery,
are recognized as standard. Its plant, housed in two immense Class A
buildings, contains more than 140,000 square feet of floor space, well lighted, airy
and scrupulously clean.
Mr. Crocker is resident of the H. S. Crocker Realty Company in addition
to being president of the H. S. Crocker Company of San Francisco and Sacramento
and of Cunningham, Curtiss & Welch Company of Los Angeles; he is
vice-president of the American National Bank and the Italian-American Bank of San
Francisco and the Giant Powder Company, Consolidated; and a director of the Union
Sugar Company, the Alameda Sugar Company and the Agricultural Credit Corporation.
He is affiliated with no fraternities, but is a life member of the
Olympic Club, commodore of the Pacific Motor Boat Club and holds active membership
in the Bohemian Club, San Francisco Press Club, San Francisco Commercial Club.
He is chairman of the convention committee of the National Association of
Stationers, which met in San Francisco in October 1915.
Mr. Crocker was married in 1905 at Del Monte to Carlotta L. Steiner. His
home is at Belvedere.

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