The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-18
COL. C. F. CROKER DEAD
THE MILLIONAIRE PASSES AWAY AT
HIS HOME IN SAN MATEO.
History of the Crocker Family and Its
Development of Enormous
Riches in America.

SAN MATEO, Cal, July T-Colonel
Crocker, vice president of the Southern Pa
cific Railway Company, died at his home
here tonight.
Charles F. Croker, the California rail-
road magnate was son of the late Charles
Croker, whose connection with the grand
triumph of American enterprise and con-
structive skill, the Central Pacific Railroad,
made his name famous the world over.
Charles f. Croker was born in Sacrament
to, Cal, on Dec. 26, 1854. His ancestors
We're of old New England stock, Daniel
Croker having resided in Boston as early
as 1861 and others of the name were found
in several parts of Massachusetts. In 1868
Josiah Croker married a daughter of Gov
ernor Hinckly. He was soldier in the
Narragansett war in Rhode Island and died
in 1898. Some of his descendants went to
Albany, n. Y, about the middle of the last
century and eventually settled near Troy,
in that State. There Charles Crocker, the
father of Charles F.. was born and spent
his early youth, but subsequently removed
to Marshall county, Indiana In the spring
of 1880 he made the long and tedious journey
across the plains to California, arriving in
Sacramento in August of that year having
made the trip from the Missouri river in
wards he made the same journey in one of
his own palace cars in as many hours. In
1852 he married Miss Mary A Demihg, a
Sacramento lady, who became distinguished
for her many noble and generous benetac-
lions.
Their eldest son. Charles f. Croker was
trained in his fathers school of industry
and accustomed from youth to active bust
ness habits. He received his early educa-
ton in the excellent public schools OF his
native city and was subsequently sent to
the Polytechnic Institute OF Brooklyn, n.
Y, where he applied himself so closely to
and he was compelled to return home to
California in 1876. AT the beginning of 1877
he entered the office of the division Superln-
tendent of the Central Pacific Railroad
Company as clerk. In order to gam a
thorough practical knowledge OF all the de-
tails of railroad business he employed him
self in the general freight office and other
departments until, upon the death or Gen.
Cotton he was called to the executive ONCE
of the Central Pacific where he assumed
the management of the Occidental and
Oriental Steamship Companys affairs. In
October, 1878, he was elected third vice
president of the Southern Pacific Company,
being subsequently promoted to the second
vice presidency, and finally 70 the position
of first vice president under {. +. hunting
ton
The elder Crocker died in 1885, leaving an
estate valued at $25 900 or more. HALF
of this went to his widow, who was made
executrix, and $lO,O0O000 to Mrs: r. v. Alex
ander, of New York, his favorite child, the
balance of the estate being divided between
Charles F. Crocker and William H. Crock
er, two of the sons, while George Croker.
the other son, was given simply the ad-
vances made to him by his father during
his lifetime. Mrs. Croker died in Octo-
ber 1889, whereupon Charles, F. Croker
came in for one-fourth of her estate which
was then valued at about $l1OO0,OOO The
property, however, had been kept intact
after the death of the elder Croker, and
the same policy was pursued by the heirs
after Mrs. Crockers death all the interests
of the estate being formed into pecullar
personal corporation under the name OF the
Croker Estate Company, the purposes or
which was stated to be to engage IN con-
struction manufa curing, mining, mercan-
tile mechanical, banking and commercial
business in all their branches. The capital
stock was placed at $70OO,OOO divided into
10000 shares, of which Charles F. and VIM.
H. Croker received 1889 each and George
Crocker and Harriet V. Alexander 10000
each, the remaining shares being allotted to
persons outside the family to qualify them
Charles +. Crockers interest in the family
fortune, however has been rapidly increas-
ing under good management, ana at the
time of his death he was probably worth
quite a. much as was his father al the time
of the latter's death nine years ago.
Even before the death of the elder Crock
er his eldest son had been called practically
to the active management of the Southern
Pacific Company by the absence of his
Stanford in Washington. The young man
displayed from the beginning of his active
railroad career executive and adminlstra-
tive ability of the highest order. He also
took an active interest in National Guard
affairs, and acquired the title of colonel by
service on the staff of Governor Perkins
with that rank.
1t is a singular coincidence that Mr..
Crocker's father and son alike met their
death through accident. The elder Crocker,
in April 1856 was thrown from his car
rage while driving in New York city, sew
eral of his ribs being broken in addition to
brain and other internal injuries. From
this accident he never fully recovered, and
his death in Monterey, Cal, in August, 1883,
1890 the only son of Charles f. Croker was
instantly killed by falling over the banister
in his fathers house in San Francisco. This
lad, who was under ten years of age at the
time of his death, would in time have in
herited the bulk of his fathers great for
tune.