Mr. F. E. Heath

F. E. HEATHOne of the most remarkable business successes in the history of Alameda county is recorded in the career of F. E. Heath, who, from a modest beginning, has developed a large creamery business and has become the owner of several of the finest and most valuable dairy ranches in this section of the state, his success having come as the legitimate result of his determined and persistent efforts, backed by sound judgment and good management.Mr. Heath was born on a dairy farm in Shiawassee County, Michigan, on the 28th of January, 1866, and received his education in the public schools of his home neighborhood.In June, 1888, he arrived in San Francisco, with a total cash capital of seven dollars and fifty cents.He got a job as gripman on a cable car on the Market street railway, at which he worked for three months, after which he went to Seattle, Washington, where he was employed as a street car conductor until 1895.He then returned to San Francisco and for five years was conductor on the Market street line.This line of work did not satisfy him and on April 1, 1900, he bought a small dairy in Alameda, for which he paid six hundred and seventy-five dollars.On June 1st, of that year, he paid three hundred dollars for a second dairy, and soon afterwards leased a tract of land near Mills College, on which he placed twenty-one milk cows.From that time he has gradually added to his dairy interests, buying the Jersey Farms dairy, the Highland Farm dairy and the Durham Farm dairy, owning at one time six dairy plants, some of which he has sold. .0n April 1, 1906, he bought the Berkeley Farm Creamery, on Alliston way, Berkeley, which at that time was a small and unpretentious plant, but from it he has developed a large, well equipped creamery plant, regarded as one of the finest in the entire west, and which in 1927 did a gross business of two and three quarter million dollars.On his dairy farms he has seven hundred milk cows and the daily output of the creamery is eight thousand gallons of milk.In June, 1907, Mr. Heath bought a tract of land at Pleasanton, which he developed into one of the best dairy ranches in Alameda county, and also has two other fine ranches, one at Mowry Station and one at Newark.Mr. Heath has worked hard for the success which has so bountifully crowned his labors and he commands the unqualified respect of all who are familiar with his operations, for he has been honorable in all of his dealings and has proven well worthy of public confidence.He is the first vice president of the First National Bank of Oakland and was president of the College National Bank of Berkeley until it was sold to the American Trust Company.Mr. Heath has been tireless and energetic in business, has shown a progressive spirit in all of his operations and stands today as one of Alameda County's solid, substantial and influential citizens.
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E., of Oakland and a past exalted ruler and a member of the building committee.He is also a member of Piedmont Parlor, N. S. G. W.; the Athens Athletic Club ; the Emeryville Industries Association; the Oakland Chamber of Commerce; and the Lafayette Club.A man of sterling qualities of character, sound business sense, energetic in manner, and cordial and friendly in his social relation, he holds a high place in the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens, who regard him as one of Emeryville's solid and dependable men.