Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-10-29

= "V/WM
Mrs. Crocker was born at Mishawaka,
four miles from South Bend, Ind, and was
aged 81 years and eleven months at the
time of her death. Her maiden name was
Mary A. Deming and she was the daughter
of Judge John ]. and Emily Deming, of
that place. Judge Deming was man of
standing in the community in which he
lived, was possessed of ample means, and
his daughter Mary received splendid ed
ucation at Mrs. Williard's Seminary. at
Troy, N. Y, which was supplemented in
later years by extensive travel and observa-
ton. Charles Croker met her at South
Bend before he came to California. Shortly
after the big fire in Sacramento in 1851. he
went East and married her in her native
city. They came to California and settled
in Sacramento, where they resided for
twenty-three years. In 1874 they moved
to San Francisco, and soon after occupied
the large Crocker mansion on California
street. Mrs CrocSer bore her husband six
children. two of whom died in infancy. The
other children are Charles F., George and
William H Crocker, and Mrs. G. B. Alex
ander, who now resides in New York. Her
only living brother, Theodore Deming, re-
sides in this city. She has nephews and
neices living at South Bend, Ind.
The life of Mrs. Charles Crocker was one
in which the noblest elements of true
womanhood were revealed. Her love of
home was strong. and her chief interest in
life lay in the duties of wife and mother.
Her heart found large room, too, especially
in the latter years of her life, for those
whom misfortune and misery had made
their own, and unnumbered poor, into
whose lives she brought little sunshine
while her life lasted will experience heart
felt sorrow at her death.
Mrs. Crocker was woman of much per-
sonal beauty and of fine presence. Her
hair during late years has been almost
white, and her expression was always
bright, intelligent and sweet. The photo
graph from which our portrait was sketched
was taken by Thors two years ago. She
had large social acquaintance in the East,
as well as in Europe, which she visited
several times. Her tastes were very re-
fined, and were everywhere displayed in
her palatial home on California street,
whose interior decorations and furnishings
were largely made under her direction.
She never showed any strong ambition
to take the place of social leader, being
more inclined to quietly enjoy the COM
panionship of her circle of intimate friends
about her, but still many of her receptions
have been notable social events in San
Francisco society. Few, if any, more
brilliant social affairs have ever quickened
into keen interest the social world of San
Francisco than those which have made the
interior of her California street home re-
splendent with life and beauty and the
scene of lavish hospitality. None of those
present will ever forget her reception to
General Grant during his visit here, and
which the General pronounced the most
magnificent entertainment that had been
given to him in all his tour around the
world.
Since the death of her husband, in Au-
gust. 1885, Mrs. Croker had lived in social
retirement, devoting her time and interest
very largely to the charities which were so
near to Ler heart.
In the field of charity her name will long
stand eminent among the most liberal
givers who have lived and wrought in San
Francisco. Her benevolence was never o.
tentatious, but proceeded from heartfelt
interest in the suferings of those about her
as is evidenced by the time and personal
attention which she bestowed on the char
table enterprises which she patronized
She was out on some mission of mercy
nearly every day, visiting the kindergartens
Silver street kindergarten, and the many
other institutions for whose success and
prosperity she was largely responsible.
Since the corner stone of the Old Peoples
Home was laid she had watched its pro-
gress with keen interest, but few days pass
ing when she did not inspect the work on
the magnificent structure which was rising
at her bidding. Besides the institutions
enumerated elsewhere, which were most
prominent in those which enjoyed her pa
tronage, her charity went out through
many channels OF which the world knew
nothing. Her most intimate friends say
that one of her characteristics was dispo-
sltion to closely inquire into all objects of
charity brought to her attention, learning
all she could of people in distress who
came to her notice, and then giving aid
with rare judgment.
Her pet project was the building of the Old
Peoples Home now in course ofconstruction
on Pine street, between Steiner and Pierce,
the cornerstone of which was laid three
months ago. She had calculated on ex-
pending 500 600 in its construction, the
| building to be of brick, stone and terra
Gotta, aud covering half block of land
/ The work on the building will not be
stopped, for the present at least, and Mrs.
Crocker's representatives will probably have
her wishes concerning it fulfilled. She WIS
also a liberal contributor to the Young
| Women's Christian Association, and do
mated the lot for the building which has
been erected on O'Farrell street between
Cough and 0ctavia. She also gave largely
to the building fund to complete the build
| ing, and interested herself in the arrange
ment and management of the Association
Another charitable institution which has
| been indebted To Mrs. Croker for its sup
port is the Boys and Girls Aid Society on
Grove street, between Baker and Lyon
| The late Charles Croker paid for the build
! ing, the lot on which it stands being the
| gift OF Senator Fair. Mrs. Croker has
| kept up her interest by liberal eontribu-
tons for its support. She frequently Wis
| tied the children alone and with friends,
and was recognized as their principal
patron. The California Woman's Hospital
on Sacramento street, and the Childrenis
| Hospital, on California street and Central
avenue, also came in for liberal share of
Mrs. Crocker's generosity, in the shape of
/ contributions of money and friendly visits.
! The kindergsrtens of the city and par
! ticularly the Silver street kindergarten AS
ISOLATION, received her special attention,
and she was most active in their successful
establishment.
| Although not member OF any church,
Mrs. Croker was regular attendant at
the First Congregational Church, and she
was active in her support of all church
work. Her daughter, Mrs. G. B. Alex
ander, recently gave $4,000 to be ex-
pended in the purchase of new organ for
| the church
George Croker was the only one of her
children present when hrs. Croker passed
away so suddenly. Colonel G. F. Crocker,
her Oldest son. is in Paris in company with
J. B. Wright, of this city, and several San
| Francisco friends. William II. Croker
and his wife were on the road to Portland,
having left San Francisco on Saturday