In the life of this successful citizen of Pomona are illustrated the results of perseverance and energy, coupled with strict integrity. Men possessing the fundamental characteristics to which he is heir have ever been regarded as bulwarks of the communities in which they have lived, and Pomona has been most fortunate in having among her citizens so many real builders and public-spirited men. Born January 10, 1851, in Butler County, Pa., David C. Crookshank is a son of William and Jane A. (Hayes) Crookshank, farmer folk, both now deceased. Twelve children were born to this worthy couple, five boys and seven girls, all reaching maturity but one.
The eighth child in the family, David C. received a common school education and gained a practical knowledge of agricultural work on the home farm; his two brothers were in the Civil War, and David had to stay at home and help his father, remaining thus engaged until twenty-two years of age. He then married and went to Michigan, where he learned the carpenter's trade, and in a few years engaged in manufacturing sash and doors and interior finishings, and also was in the lumber business, later becoming manager of a furniture factory employing some 300 men.
January 1, 1904, Mr. Crookshank arrived in California, and first located in Ocean Park, where he engaged in real estate, building and selling. After two years there he moved to Los Angeles, and remained there one year. In 1907 he located in Pomona. One year previous to that he had traded his Ocean Park property for the Ambrosia grove of forty acres in Pomona.
Since 1894 Mr. Crookshank has been associated in business with F.L. Somers, and almost all of his enterprises since that date have been in partnership with this old-time friend and business associate. They bought the M.L. Sparks tract of 150 acres at La Verne, fifty acres of it fruit, and sold all but eight acres of this property, one of the choicest bits of acreage in Southern California. Later he formed a private company and purchased the Seth Richards orange grove of 450 acres, and improved 150 acres of this, known as the Mesa tract. Later the company went out of existence and with Mr. Somers he bought the remainder of the tract and they still own this acreage. He has bought and sold numerous ranches, putting them in good condition and selling at an increased price. He was the first man to sell orange land at $2000 per acre; this same land is now held at a refusal of $5000.
Probably one of the largest contracting firms in Southern California, the two partners have built many large buildings, both in Pomona Valley and elsewhere; they erected some of the buildings of the Soldiers' Home at Sawtelle; many of the Pomona College buildings, and are now engaged in building the Women's Building for that institution; and have built many large buildings in Los Angeles and vicinity.
On February 11, 1873, occurred the marriage of David C. Crookshank and Mary A. Unger, the ceremony taking place in Butler County, Pa., and two children bless their union; Mrs. Clara J. Steele of La Verne, and Mrs. Mary Ethel Elder of North Pomona. One grandchild, Carnes, brings sunshine to their lives. Mr. Crookshank is a Republican in politics, and in religious belief he is a Presbyterian. Fraternally he belongs to the Masons.
Prominent in most of the associations which have helped in the building up of the Valley, Mr. Crookshank is a charter member of the La Verne Orange and Lemon Growers Association, and has been president of the company since it was formed; maintaining one of the finest packing plants in the state, this organization in its beginning shipped 250 cars of citrus fruits, and now sends 1500 carloads over the roads to their different destinations. He has been a member of the San Antonio Fruit Exchange, and a director in the Southern California Fruit Growers Exchange, also a director in the Orange Products Company. As a director in the Fumigating and Supply Company of Pomona, the Lemon By-Products of Corona, and the Fruit Growers Supply Company of Los Angeles, Mr. Crookshank takes an important part in the fruit industries in this section of the state, and has, since his first locating in Pomona, been a factor for progress and an incentive toward the amalgamation of the citrus growers' interests for mutual benefit. Gifted with the faculty for seeing into the future as regards the growth and expansion of a district, he has given of his time and influence with that end in view and has done as much as any one man for the advancement of Pomona Valley along these lines, the backbone of its prosperity. Mr. Crookshank was one of the organizers of the Chamber of Commerce, is a charter member, served as president one year, and has been a director since the start of the organization.
In the midst of his business cares Mr. Crookshank has found time to devote to the social and educational upbuilding of the community and has been active in Y.M.C.A. work, in donating and collecting for the new building in Pomona, and in various other ways has shown his public spirit and broad humanitarian ideals.
History of Pomona Valley, California, with Biographical Sketches
of The Leading Men and Women of the Valley Who Have Been
Identified With Its Growth and Development from the Early Days
to the Present
Published in Los Angeles, Cal., by the Historic Record Company
1920
Transcribed by Linda Jackson 9/16/08, Pages 383-385
Los Angeles County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
Copyright © 1996-2009; This Web page is sponsored by Supporters on behalf of the California portion of The USGenWeb Project by The Administrative Team of the CAGW. Although believed to be correct as presented, if you note any corrections, changes, additions, or find that any links provided on this page are not functioning properly please contact the Archive Coordinator for prompt attention to the matter.