Biographies
HERBERT J. READ
The subject of this sketch was born
February 1, 1882, in New York City, and came to this coast in 1884 with his
parents. His father was a newspaper man and for years was identified with the
Oakland Inquirer. Herbert attended school in San Francisco and at an
early age became connected with the great hardware and machinery firm of Baker
& Hamilton, a connection that was to last fifteen years, eight in San
Francisco and seven in Sacramento. The house was first established in
Sacramento during 1853, and the branches in San Francisco and Los Angeles
followed, with a distributing warehouse at Fresno and a factory in Benicia.
Naturally the plant and office at San Francisco became the main point in the
firm's territory.
Mr. Read's
association with this pioneer firm of the Pacific Coast -- this agricultural
establishment whose name is a household word west of the Rocky Mountains --
fitted him for business among the farming people of this state. Consequently
his present connection and work with the Mercantile Terminal Company with
offices at Nos. 109 and 115 J street, Sacramento, is
somewhat in the line of his duties with the former firm. The Mercantile
Terminal Co. have extensive tracts of land between
Sacramento and Marysville, some of which has been subdivided and sold in twenty
to forty acre lots. This company was incorporated in 1905, with president,
Herbert J. Read; vice-president, H. A. Lewis; and secretary and treasurer, J.
L. Mayden.
H. J. Read was married July 17,
1907, to Miss Emma E. Wilkins of Oakland. Her father was a well-known citizen
and prominent politician in that city, and served for years on its municipal
council as an architect. Mr. Read's social and
fraternal circle covers considerable territory. He is a Mason, Knight Templar, Shriner, an Elk and belongs to the
Sutter Club and the Country Club.The family are
members of the Episcopal Church.
Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.
Source: Willis, William
L., History of Sacramento County,
California, Pages 1004-1005. Historic Record Company,
© 2006 Sally Kaleta.