The San Francisco call., 1897-07-18

projectors and the chief worker in the
actual construction of the Central Paclnc
Railroad. The colonel or Fred Crocxer,
as he was commonly called. was born In
Sacramento December 26, 1854, and was
consequently in his forty-third year, but
he seemed to be several years older.
He received his early education IN the
public schools OF Sacramento, enteling
the high school there. subsequently dur
ing the years 1872 and 1873 he attended
McClure's Academy in Oakland and
gained credit for diligent study. In 1879
he entered the Brooklyn, n. Y, Poly
technic School. but did not graduate. as
his eyesight failed by reason OF study:
Returning TO California, he made a
trip to Japan, and afterward entered the
railroad service at the age OF %. From a
clerkship, IN which ca pacity he began. ne
worked his way forward, grad uaIly M as
tering the details of the service. he was
highly regarded in the office at Fourth
and Townsend streets. and soon gained
the confidence of A. n. Towne and
other leading officers OF ths corpora
tiou.
When George C. Perkins was elected
Governor in 1879 he appointed Mr.. Crocker
10 his staff with the rank OF colonel. In
that capacity Colonel Crocker served the
National Guard with honor to himself
and credit 10 tie organization.
Co. oneI Crocker was straight-out Re-
publican in politics and took an active
part in political affairs. He marched In
the process OF which closed the great
campaign for Mckinley IN this State, and
on tine line OF march a spectator who did
not know him guyed him ior allowing
himself 10 be coerced for fear OF losing
job.
He went to Two National conventions of
the party as delegate from this State.
He was nominated as one of the Repuo-
lican electors in t., last campaign, but
resigned.
In public affairs Colonel Crocker always
took an active part. As a Regent of the
State University he was especially active
and useful He attended the sessions of
tue board regularly ard worked consclen-
tiously on committee duty.
Moreover, he was liberal in his gifts to
the institution. His fellow-regents enter
tanned a high regard for his person al
accomplishments and recognized in him
regent who hau the interests OF the
university at heart
He was appointed Regent by Governor
Waterman in 1888. He served on the
committee on Internal Administration
and the Library, Museum and Lick OBJ
servatory committees. The means for OBJ
serving the last three solar eclipses were
supplied by him.
Colonel Crocker was married in 1880 to
Miss jennie NJ. Easton, daughter OF Mrs.
A. NJ. Easton and niece OF d. o. Mills.
Mrs. Easton is Mr.. Mills sister. Mrs.
Crocker died about eleven years ago, leav-
ing her husband three children, two girls
and a boy. The children are now at
Uplands.
He was an active supporter of the
San Francisco Art Association and
School of Design. He was kind to artists
and many OF them remember his generos'
ny. He seldom made display OF his
good deeds, preferring to extend his
kindly services in modest and quiet
style.
Colonel Crocker was y mem ber OF the
Pacific Union and Bohemian clubs, but
his favorite institution was the former.
He took an active interest IN its affairs,
and recently sold to the club a fine piece
OF property on Van Ness avenue.
He was also member of the Univer-
sity Club OF this City, the Burlingame
Club, the Country Club, the Chicago
Club, and four New York clubs, among
them the Metropolitan and Union. He
was vice president of the Southern Pacific
Company, president of the Market-street
Railroad Company, president of the
Occidental and Oriental Steamship Com
pany and also president of many other
corporations connected with the Southern
Pacific. He ave much attention 10 the
California Academy OF Sciences, of which
institution he was president. He was
connected with the Stanford University
as one of the trustees.
Colonel Crocker was a thirty third de-
gree Mason and at the time of mis- death
held the position of venerable grand