Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-08-19

meaCre common-schoOl education, and at
the ago Of twelve business reyerses Of his
father forced him to the earning OF his
own living by selling newspapers. In
1886 the elder Croker moved to Mar
shall county, in Northern Indiana, where
young Charles worked vigorously help
ing to clear the land and establish set
Element.
In 1889 the boys mother died and
Charles soon after went out into tho
world to carve his own fortune. lie
worked on farm for a time, and then
went 10 Mishawka, on the st. Joseph
river, in Indiana. Here he secured
work in q saw-mill owned by John j.
Deming. whose daughter Mary be after
ward married. In the spring of 1910
he became III apprentice to man who
owned an iron forge at Mishawka, and
learned how TO make bar-iron from bog
ore. After about five years he went back
to Marshall county and started pros
pecting for iron ore. He was fortunate
enough to find an ore-bed, and after &c
curing an option on some OF the land, he
took specimens Of the mineral and re-
turned to the forge TO seek for capital to
begin a new enterprise. He had won
the confidence OF his former employer,
who advanced him capital, taking q
three-quarters share in the new business,
while Croker retained n one-quarter in
terest and salary of $500 year as sole
manager. The firm took tho namo of
Charles Croker 81 Co., and was fairly
successful up to 184S, when tho forge
was burned down. It was rebuilt, and
in 1s49 Mr.. Croker sold out his share
in the property for 81, 000 to his partner.
Crocker now raised a party of young
men for California, and taking with him
also two of his younger brothers, no
crossed the plains in the summer Of
1850. The party engaged in placer
mining, but with poor success, and
Charles soon released his companions
from the contract they had made when
they started out, and opened a store of
mining supplies in the camp. In the
spring of 1852 ho established store in
Sscramentoin company with his younger
brother and the business soon was IN
furnishing condition. Possessed now OF
considerable means. Mr.. Crocker went
back to Indiana and married Miss Dem
ing. A week after the wedding his Sacra-
mento store was destroyed by fire, in
volying loss of $4,000 A capital OF
about $4,000 remained, and Mr..
Crocker, with bis bride, fastened to
Sacramento and re-establishe1 his bust
ness. The spring of 1853 brought fire
and flood to the city, but Croker pros
pered in spite OF temporary misfortunes,
and by the end OF 1854 he was rich. In
1856 he was chosen to the Common
Council, and in the fall of 1860 was
elected as Republican TO the Legisla-
turo of California.
Within the next few years Mr.. Croker
became identified with the project of she
Central Pacific railroad. He took the
contract for the first eighteen miles OF
the route, built ths most difficult two
miles OF the next piece OF thirteen miles,
and then picked up the work for the rest
from other contractors who failed. Then
he became contractor for the line from
Newcastle to the State line, east OF the
Sierra Neyadas, and when the ICON
tract and Finance Company was or
ganized Mr.. Croker was made presi-
dent, and invested heavily in its stock. |
Under his superintendency the road was
built from the State line Of California to
Ogden, and then followed the con-
struction of branch and tributary lines
to the man stem.
Mr.. Croker was leading spirit in the
railway enterprises which followed the
success of the Central Pacific through
Southern California and eastward 10
Texas. In 1871 he was forced to go to
Europe for rest and recreation. On his
return he took tho position of second
vice president Of the Central Pacific
railroad and president Of the Southern
Pacific railroad Of California. Under
his direction the road was built from
Sumner to the Colorado river at
Fort Yuma, and was then extended to
Texas. In 1884 the Southern Pacific
Company was reorganized, its capital
increased from 81, 0C0, 900 TO 600, 600, 600,
and it assumed control OF the Central
Pacific. the Southern Pacific, the Nor
gan railroad and steamship system, and
the other railway systems which had
been secured in Texas and Louisiana
Mr.. Croker was second yiespresident
OF this company.
He had six children, but only four are
His wife survives him, aud
the children consist ofthreo sons, OF whom
two are in business and one daughter.
HIS daughter is the wife of a well-hnown |
lawyer OF New York. in which city do
ceased owned fine residence. Mr. !
Crocker possessed an art gallery and q
notable collection Of bronzes and CO.
ramics.