Biographies
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 and
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 been 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, 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 Adelaide 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, including 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 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.
Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.
Source: Willis,
William L., History of Sacramento County,
California, Pages 919-921. Historic
Record Company,
© 2006 Sally Kaleta.