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Charles H. Crocker (page 253)
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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