Denver, History of Colorado, BIOS: DUROCHER, Frederick (published 1918)
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"History of Colorado", edited by Wilbur Fisk Stone, published by The S. J. 
Clarke Publishing Co. (1918)  Vol. II


p. 494-495



FREDERICK DUROCHER.

 Frederick Durocher, president and manager of the Standard 
Bottling Company ot Denver, was born in the province of Quebec, Canada, 
April 12. 1859. His father, the late Peter Durocher, was also a native 
of Canada and was descended from one of the pioneer families of that 
country of French lineage. The family was founded in the new world 
during the early part of the eighteenth century, the first 
representative of the name crossing the Atlantic with Cartier. Peter 
Durocher became a successful farmer of Canada and spent, his entire 
life in the province of Quebec, where he passed away in 1881 at the age 
of seventy-eight years. His wife, Mrs. Eleanore Durocher, was also a 
native of Canada and a representative of one of the old pioneer French 
Canadian families. She passed away in 1906 at the notable old age of 
ninety-two years, having for a quarter of a century survived her 
husband. She was the mother of twelve children, three sons and nine 
daughters.

 Frederick Durocher was the youngest of the family and was 
educated in the public schools of Canada, which he attended to the age 
of sixteen. His life up to that time was spent upon the home farm and 
his early experiences were those of the farm-bred boy. He was afterward 
apprenticed to learn the carpenter's trade and in 1879 he removed to 
the west, making his way direct to Denver, Colorado, where he arrived 
on the 10th of April. Immediately afterward he took up work at the 
carpenter's trade, which he followed for four years. He next turned his 
attention to the soda water business, beginning in a very small way in 
a basement room at No. 1317 Larimer street in the old Lincoln Hall 
building. Notwithstanding his humble start, however, he rapidly 
developed the. business, which grew day by day until it is by far the 
largest enterprise of the kind west of the Missouri river. He today 
occupies a three-story brick building, which was erected about 1900 at 
a cost of forty thousand dollars. The plant is equipped with the latest 
modern machinery to facilitate the work and the most sanitary 
conditions prevail. Every bottle that is filled is thoroughly 
sterilized before it is used. Something of the growth of the business 
is indicated in the fact that the company now employs between forty and 
fifty people and the trade extends from Wyoming to Nebraska, to 
Arkansas, to Utah and to other western states. The growth of the 
business is attributable in large measure to the excellence of the 
product, combined with the thoroughly reliable and progressive business 
methods instituted by Mr. Durocher.

 On the 20th of February, 1884. Mr. Durocher was united in 
marriage in Salt Lake City to Miss Minnie Roy, a native of Iowa and a 
daughter of Joseph and Julia Roy. The mother of Mrs. Durocher is still 
living and now makes her home in Denver. Three children have been born 
of his marriage: Walter, who is associated with his father in business; 
Angeline; and Fred. All were born in Denver.

 In his political views Mr. Durocher has ever been a stalwart 
republican and fraternally he is connected with Elks Lodge, No. 17. He 
is likewise a member of the Denver Motor Club and the Denver Civic and 
Commercial Association, while his religious faith is indicated in the 
tact that he is a communicant of the Immaculate Conception cathedral, 
having always been identified with the Roman Catholic church. He 
started out in life a poor boy but has steadily advanced along business 
lines until he is at the head of a profitable enterprise. His success, 
moreover, is indicated in the fact that he is the owner of a very 
attractive home at No. 1347 Cherokee street. He turns for diversion to 
motoring and to outdoor sports and thus finds needed relief from the 
stress of a growing and important business enterprise. His life record 
should serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others, 
showing what may be accomplished through individual effort and 
perseverance. There have been no spectacular phases in his career, no 
periods of wild speculation, but by persistency and energy he has 
directed his business affairs to a point where prosperity in large 
measure is his. The philosopher Emerson has said "An institution is but 
the lengthened shadow of a man," and the great interests which Mr. 
Durocher has developed and built up are an indication of his strength 
of character, his keen sagacity and his unfaltering energy.