California Genealogy and History Archives
Biographies
of
Sacramento County
|
GEORGE
KEACH As
an illustration of the commercial opportunities afforded by Sacramento
and also as an index to the ability of the man himself, mention belongs
to the record established and the reputation achieved by George Keach in
the commercial history of the capital city. When first he arrived here
it was a poor workman with his kit of tools, a journeyman who had
followed the trade of an upholsterer in various parts of the country and
who had been attracted to the great west by reason of the glowing
reports. In the busy years that have since brought their changes, their
opportunities and their successes, he has found the climate healthful,
the people congenial and the business openings equal to his own ability,
so that he has no reason to regret the decision that brought him to the
coast country and made him a business man in Sacramento. In
studying the Keach family history we find that William and Melinda Jane
Keach were married in Indiana and died at Logansport, that state, the
former in 1884 and the latter a year later. For twenty years he had
engaged in the furniture business in Chicago, where both before and
after the great fire he was an influential business man and a
public-spirited citizen. His son, George, was born at Logansport, Ind.,
October 23, 1863, and was graduated from the high school of that city in
1882. He was one of a large family, the majority of whom reside in the
east, although one of his brothers, William Henry, a pioneer investor in
property at Butte, Mont., still makes his home at that place and is now
one of its most wealthy retired real-estate operators. After
a sojourn of two years in Northern Michigan and Wisconsin George Keach
came to Helena, Mont., and thence to Denver, Colo., where he was engaged
in the furniture business for two years. Later he was engaged in mining
in Larimer county, Colo., for about four years, next coming to
Sacramento in 1896, and later traveling through Nevada with his kit of
tools. On his return to Sacramento the same year he secured employment
with a local furniture store, where he remained for eight years. At the
expiration of that time he opened a small repair shop at No. 1003 K
street, where also he carried a small line of furniture. A few months
afterward, January 1, 1907, he removed to larger quarters at No. 1003 J
street and No. 923 Tenth street. At that location he built up a large
trade; he incorporated the Home Furniture Company, with himself as
president and manager and his wife secretary and treasurer. His
principal aid in winning the confidence of patrons was his unwavering
honesty. In even the smallest sale he always has been scrupulously
honest and customers have come to realize that they may depend upon the
straightforward expression of his opinion. No sales have l)een made
under false impressions and no goods are allowed to be sent out from the
establishment under a misrepresentation. As a consequence of this
accuracy and integrity of business management the proprietor has built
up a wide reputation and now he receives orders from almost every part
of Northern California. In January of 1912, upon the completion of the
modern fireproof structure on Ninth between K and L streets, one of the
finest buildings in the Sacramento valley, he removed to that location,
where he has leased thirty-six thousand square feet, including one-half
of the entire ground floor and the entire three floors above. In
addition to the trade with private families the proprietor has furnished
various hotels throughout, also a number of apartment houses in
Sacramento, and on several occasions he has bought the lease to new
apartment houses, which he had furnished complete and then sold the
lease. The marriage of Mr. Keach took place in Sacramento September 22, 1904, and united him with Miss Nora Jacox, formerly, of Flint, Mich., and the daughter of a retired farmer. The only surviving child of the union is Adalaide Allene, born September 21, 1905. The son, Howard, died at the age of nine months. Mrs. Keach is a member of the Saturday Club and holds membership with the Baptist Church, to the work of which Mr. Keach has contributed with characteristic generosity. Various organizations have received the benefit of his active co-operation, inohiding the Fraternal Brotherhood, Moose, Modern Woodmen of America and Woodmen of the World, also the Knights of Pythias and the Improved Order of Red Men, in which latter he has passed through all of the chairs. He is an active member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Retail Merchants' Association and the Pacific Coast Advertising Club. In citizenship he has been progressive, promoting the advancement of his adopted city by every influence within his power and supporting all enterprises which he believes for the permanent welfare of the people. The measure of his prosperity is well deserved, for it has resulted from industry and the exercise of business ability. His tireless energy and resolute spirit have carried to completion large business undertakings and have given to him a position of prominence among Sacramento's distinguished men of affairs. |
|
Source: Transcribed by Peggy Hooper 2011 |