Biography of 	Berckes, Herbert Christian Orleans Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by 	Mike Miller August 2001

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Herbert Christian Berckes is secretary-manager of the Southern Pine Association, an 
organization representing the principal manufacturers of southern pine lumber in all 
the states of the South, with headquarters in the Interstate Bank Building at New Orleans.
Mr. Berckes has the distinction of being probably the youngest executive of such an 
important association of industrial interests in this country.  His qualifications for the 
post are a result of long study, expert knowledge and experience in traffic and 
transportation and all other elements entering into the problems of marketing and
distribution of lumber products.

Mr. Berckes was born in New Orleans, August lf~, 1892, son of Christian and Johanna Louise
(Helmke) Berckes, his father a native of Buffalo, New York, and his mother of New Orleans, 
where both parents still reside.  The son was educated in grammar school; from 1907 to 1910 
attended the Boy's High School, graduating with high honors, and subsequently for four years, 
while working in the day, attended night classes in the College of Commerce of Tulane 
University.  For a few weeks after completing his high school course he was employed in the 
freight brokerage office of Joseph B. Cabell, and then became clerk and weigher in the office 
of E. C. Angamar, public weigher on the levee.  On August l3, 1912, he became stenographer 
and rate clerk in the office of the New Orleans rate and transportation department of the 
Board of Trade and its successor, the New Orleans Joint Traffic Bureau, making this experience 
an opportunity for acquiring a thorough knowledge of traffic rates.

In l915 he was made private secretary to J. E. Rhodes, then secretary-manager of the 
Southern Pine Association, and on June 1, 1918, was promoted to assistant secretary 
and on the death or Mr. Rhodes was the unanimous choice of the Board of Directors for 
secretary-manager, being chosen to this position without solicitation on his part and 
in preference to the application of many others.  He has held this office since June, 1923.

During tee World war period he was active in the campaigns for the sale of Liberty Bonds 
and raising of funds for the Red Cross, and rendered some particular service in perfecting
the organization of southern pine manufacturers to supply the needs of the government for 
construction material.  Mr. Berckes is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church; is 
affiliated with Corinthian Lodge No. 196. F. and A M., Babalon Chapter, Royal Arch Masons. 
and Ivanhoe Commandery, Knights Templar; belongs to the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce, 
Young Men's Business Club, the Advertising Club, Lumbermen's Club, the Southern Yacht Ciub, 
Y. M. C. A. and the Lumbermen's Order of Hoo Hoos.  He is also a member of the Chess, 
Checkers and Whist Club, and the Audubon Golf Club.  He was formerly prominent in athletics, 
and in 1912 held the Southern Junior low hurdles championship,

He married, April 26, 1917, Miss Mary Louise Odendahl, of New Orleans.  Their home is at 
1036 Nashville Avenue.  They have one living child, a daughter, Robin Dale, born November 
30, 1924.

NOTE:  The sketch is accompanied by a black and white photograph/drawing of the subject.

A History of Louisiana, (vol. 2), pp. 359-360, by Henry E. Chambers.  Published by The 
American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, 1925.