Berckes, Herbert Christian

Submitted by Mike Miller

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 perfectingthe 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.