Herbert M. Baruch Corporation

The company was founded by Los Angeles native Herbert M. Baruch (1894-1955) upon his return from military service in World War I.

His family was a prominent pioneer family in Southern California in the early 20th century that originated from Bavaria, and his father Jacob, with his brother Herman, was a principal in the prominent wholesale grocer Haas, Baruch and Company (one of the other partners was Abraham, father of Walter A. Haas, and this company eventually became Smart & Final).

Mr. Baruch was active on several boards including the local Red Cross and Community Chest, an early forerunner to the United Way.

Despondent over business difficulties and ill health, Mr. Baruch shot himself in his Hollywood Hills residence in 1955.

In 1932 the Baruch Corporation was sued by actress Ann Christy for $100,730 in damages when she was involved in a collision with a ditching machine owned by the company.