Clark County WA Archives Biographies.....Crockett, David November 7, 1891 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/wa/wafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Ila L. Wakley iwakley@msn.com and June 12, 2009, 12:48 am Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company DAVID CROCKETT, president of the recently reorganized Vancouver Plywood Company, of Vancouver, is by training and experience well qualified to direct the operation of a large industrial concern, and his methods and purposes have gained for him the confidence of his business associates. He was born at Little Rock, Arkansas, November 7, 1891, a son of John and Kate (Brown) Crockett. In 1895 the family came to Washington, locating in Tacoma, the father having acquired a large tract of land at American lake. Later he sold that property and, going to Pe Ell, Lewis county, engaged in the logging business, which commanded his attention for some time. Selling out there, he removed to Chehalis and took charge of the county farm, also engaging in farming and stock raising on his own account. He died in 1925, and his widow now resides in Tacoma. They became the parents of six children. David Crocket spent his early years on his father's farm at Chehalis and received his education in the public schools. In young manhood he worked for the Chehalis Fir Door Company and in the course of time was advanced to the position of foreman, remaining with that concern for five years. Going to Astoria, he then learned the machinist's trade, at which he worked for two years, and then spent four years with the Clatsop mill at Astoria, of which he became a foreman. His next position was as superintendent of the Bufflin Lumber Company at Tacoma, where he remained about seven years during the development of the plant. He built the Western Lumber Company plant in Tacoma and later put in a remanufacturing plant for the Schaefer Brothers Door Company at Montesano, after which he came to Vancouver as superintendent of the Mackall Paine Veneer Company. This business was established in 1923 and was incorporated in Nevada for seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars, of which stock to the value of five hundred and fifty thousand dollars was issued. The plant, which covers about ten acres of leased ground, has one hundred and thirty-two thousand square feet of floor space, and here are employed two hundred and twenty-five men, operating twenty-four hours a day. This plant turns out more veneer work in value than any other plant in the country, producing one hundred and twenty thousand board feet of panels a day, besides a carload of miscellaneous boxes. About four hundred thousand grapes slices are made in a day, most of which are used in the making of fruit boxes, and they also turn out many specialties in veneer work and boxes. It is estimated that the plant will turn out one and a quarter million dollars worth of products in 1929. On January 1, 1928, Mr. Crockett took over the control of the business, which was reorganized with the following officers: David Crockett, president and manager; Mrs. David Crockett, vice president; G. L. Oman, secretary and treasurer. Much of the equipment used in the plant is of Mr. Crockett's design and it is his intention to install much more in order to greatly increase the producing capacity of the plant. His previous experience as machinist, electrician, logger, constructor and veneer maker has stood him in good stead in his present position, and he is regarded in every way suited for the executive position which he now holds. In 1912, at Astoria, Oregon, Mr. Crockett was united in marriage to Miss Grace Wilson, who was born and reared in that city and is a daughter of William and Mary Wilson, both deceased. They originally went from New York to San Francisco and came to Astoria in pioneer days. Mr. and Mrs. Crockett have a son, David, Jr. Mr. Crockett is a member of the Kiwanis Club and the Vancouver Chamber of Commerce. Though a busy man, he has not neglected his obligations of citizenship and has shown a commendable interest in the welfare of the community in which he lives, giving his support to all measures for the advancement of the public welfare, and throughout this locality he is held in high esteem by all who know him. Additional Comments: History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. II, Pages 845-846 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/wa/clark/bios/crockett37gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/wafiles/ File size: 4.7 Kb