Alameda County
Biographies
HERBERT P. GLASIER.
Herbert P. Glasier is now president and manager of the Oakland Cream Depot, with which he first became identified as bookkeeper in 1892. His birth occurred in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on the 10th of November, 1864, his parents being Rich and Anna Glasier. He attended the graded and high schools until fourteen years of age and subsequently went to Tower City, North Dakota, where he was engaged in farming for two and a half years. On the expiration of that period he made his way to The Dalles, Oregon, where he was employed as a hotel clerk for three years. He then followed farming in Washington territory for a few months and afterward carried on agricultural pursuits in the Sacramento valley of California for two years. Returning to The Dalles, Oregon, he was there employed as a drug clerk until 1892, when he came to Oakland, California, and secured a position as bookkeeper with the Oakland Cream Depot.
In 1893 Mr. Glasier began to institute needed reforms in the milk business. The first thing necessary was an accurate and detailed knowledge of every branch of the business, and he accordingly worked in every department until he knew not only all of the processes used, but their relation to each other, and their effect upon the quality of the product. He then began to institute beneficial changes and among other things did away with the use of preservatives in milk which was then common. Bicarbonate of soda and boracic acid were among those most frequently employed. He eliminated their use entirely in the Oakland Cream Depot and built instead coolers which were found to be very efficient and absolutely without injurious effects. His plan is now generally used in this locality. In 1894 the enterprise was incorporated and Mr. Glasier became its secretary, while upon the retirement of the president, Mr. Bliss, in 1909, he was made chief executive officer of the concern. It employs thirty-eight people in Oakland, has eight cream buyers in the country and utilizes seven wagons and five automobiles. It is the largest butter manufacturing company in Alameda county and the oldest in the city. It was also the first concern in the state to undertake the centralizing of butter making. Its brand is known as the O. C. D. and is a high grade product in all respects. The fineness of its quality is shown by the rapid growth in the number of pounds sold. The first year the output was two hundred and thirty pounds, but now four thousand pounds are used annually in Oakland and vicinity. Much of the growth of the concern is due to the able management and direction of Mr. Glasier, who is widely recognized as a man of excellent business ability and sound judgment.
In June, 1894, in Oakland, Mr. Glasier was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Hefty, by whom he has three children, namely: Harold, who is sixteen years of age and attends high school; Eunice, a maiden of fourteen, who is a high-school student; and Alice, ten years old, who is also attending the public schools. Mr. Glasier exercises his right of franchise in support of men and measures of the republican party, being convinced that its principles are most conducive to good government. He is a member of the Woodmen of the World and also belongs to the Junior Order. He is known as a steady, reliable, persevering man and whatever he undertakes he carries forward to successful completion. This reputation has made him a person on whom his associates can always depend and he is known for his upright character and his straight-forward dealings in both social and business circles.
Past & Present of Alameda County, California – Vol II, S. J. Clarke Publ. Co., 1914
p. 312
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
ALVIN W. BAKER.
A period of connection with the Southern Pacific Railroad Company dating from 1877 has brought Alvin W. Baker to a position of trust and responsibility with that great corporation, which numbers him among its most reliable and worthy representatives. He has risen through department after department in the service and is now land and tax agent for the company at Oakland, a position which he has filled with credit and ability since June, 1910.
Alvin W. Baker was reared at home and acquired a public-school education. He laid aside his books at the early age of sixteen and afterward worked for his brother, who conducted a drug store, postoffice and express office. Later Mr. Baker turned his attention to railroading, becoming connected with the Southern Pacific Railroad Company in 1877 as telegraph operator, working at various points in California, Nevada and Arizona. In 1879 he was put upon the company's regular staff of employes and rose rapidly to a responsible position, being given charge of the maintenance of way department in Oakland in 1884. For ten years thereafter he did capable and farsighted work in this capacity and at the expiration of that time was transferred to Oakland Pier as chief clerk. He held this position until 1903, when he was made assistant superintendent. In June, 1910, he was again transferred to the city of Oakland and made land and tax agent at this point. He has learned the railroad business through long and practical experience in its various departments, and his executive ability and keen business insight well qualify him for the responsible position which he now holds.
Fraternally Mr. Baker is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is liberal in his political views and has never sought public office, although he is at all times interested in projects to advance the general welfare of the community. He has been instrumental in bringing a number of manufacturing plants and other concerns to Oakland and has done a great deal for the city along lines of progress and growth. He is largely responsible for his own success, which he has gained through his energy, ambition and ability—qualities which have established him among the representative men of Oakland.
Past & Present of Alameda County, California – Vol II, S. J. Clarke Publ. Co., 1914
p. 313
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler