Elmer Chase
| Elmer Chase | |
| Died | 1939 |
|---|---|
| Employer | Golden Gate Packing Company,Hunt Brothers Packing Company, Richmond Chase |
| Occupation | Dried fruit packer, canner |
Elmer Chase was a long-time canner in the San Jose area. Chase was born in Rochester, New York in 1861, and came to San Jose in 1874 where he went to work for the Golden Gate Packing Company. Chase spent much of his career at Golden Gate. In 1918, Golden Gate was bought by Hunt Brothers Packing Company, and Chase became a director for that corporation[1], but quickly left and teamed with E.N. Richmond to form Richmond Chase. Chase appears to have been well-liked in the canning industry and with a personable manner, as seen by friendly articles about him in the press[2][3] Chase died in 1939[4].
Edith Daley of the San Jose Evening News got this quote from Mr. Chase[5]:
"How long have I been engaged in the fruit canning industry? Must I tell that?" asked E. E. Chase with a smile. "That is almost as bad as asking a woman to tell her age! " However, he did tell - that he came to the Golden Gate Packing company [4th Street between Julian and Washington] when he was a youngster, more than 40 years ago. "I was just a roustabout", he explained, with a reminiscent smile. Forty years of honest effort - rarely successful effort - of untiring zeal and irreproachable methods! E.N. Richmond adds to that his more than twenty years of like integrity and ability in the dried fruit industry, and together these successful business men blend experience and strong personalities into the "dream come true" that lies back of the gold-lettered sign.
"Elmer and Ed. We heard them call each other that. It was refreshing in the midst of a business camouflage of dignity that often seems afraid of upsetting! It visioned business as a great game that men play with much the same zeal with which they play ball on the corner lot or flew kites in their knee-trouser days."
Elmer's son formed the Chevy-Chase Company.
References
- ↑ Amalgamation of Prominent Canners: April 13, 1918 California Fruit News.
- ↑ "Chase bitten by dog on return from Mikado rehearsal, 1886 San Jose Evening News. Quoted in [http://vasonabranch.blogspot.com/2013/11/do-you-hear-me-bowman.html "Do You Hear Me, Bowman?" article at vasonabranch.blogspot.com.
- ↑ "Chase Plant Magnificent Says E. Daley: July 14, 1919 San Jose Evening News.
- ↑ Leader of Canner Passes: San Jose Evening News, February 13, 1939
- ↑ "Chase Plant Magnificent Says E. Daley", San Jose Evening News, July 14, 1919