George Ralphs

George Ralphs
Born George Albert Ralphs
(1850-09-23)September 23, 1850
Missouri, U.S.
Died June 21, 1914(1914-06-21) (aged 63)
San Bernardino, California, U.S.
Cause of death Circulatory shock
Resting place Evergreen Cemetery, Los Angeles
Nationality American
Occupation Businessman
Years active 1873–1914
Known for Founder of Ralphs
Spouse(s) Wallula Von Keith (m. 1896–1914)
Children 2

George Albert Ralphs (September 23, 1850 – June 21, 1914) was an American businessman. He founded the Ralphs supermarket chain in Southern California, with the help of his brother Walter.

Early life and career

Ralphs was born in Missouri. His family moved to San Bernardino, California when he was a child. As an adult, Ralphs worked in Los Angeles area as a bricklayers' apprentice. After losing one of his hands in a hunting accident, Ralphs began working as a clerk in a grocery store.[1] He opened his first store, Ralphs and Francis, in 1873, in the Spring Street Financial District of Los Angeles with S. A. Francis.[2][3] In 1879, Ralphs' brother Walter bought Francis' share of the company which was renamed Ralphs Brothers. The company incorporated in 1909 as Ralphs Grocery Company.[4]

Personal life

Ralphs married Wallula Von Keith on July 23, 1896. The couple had two children, Annabell and Albert George. Albert later became the vice-president and manager of Ralphs Grocery Company.[4]

Death

On June 21, 1914, Ralphs was with his family for a weekend trip to the San Bernardino Mountains. While taking a walk with his wife in Waterman's Canyon, Ralphs stopped to rest on top of a boulder. As he attempted to help his wife up to sit beside him, the boulder became dislodged and began rolling down the mountain side along with Ralphs. In the process, one of his legs got caught and was severely injured.[5][6] He was taken to Ramona Hospital (now known as Community Hospital of San Bernardino) where he underwent surgery to have his injured leg amputated. Ralphs awoke from the surgery and spoke to his wife for a few minutes, but died of shock later that afternoon.[7]

Ralphs's body was shipped back to Hollywood where he and his family lived. His funeral was held on June 24. He was buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Los Angeles.[6]

References

  1. ↑ McGroarty, John Steven (1921). Los Angeles from the Mountains to the Sea: With Selected Biography of Actors and Witnesses to the Period of Growth and Achievement, Volume 2 2. American Historical Society. pp. 270–271.
  2. ↑ Quarterly, Volumes 25-26. Historical Society of Southern California. 1943. p. 25.
  3. ↑ Cory Stargel, Sarah Stargel (2009). Early Downtown Los Angeles. Arcadia Publishing. p. 49. ISBN 0-7385-7003-6.
  4. 1 2 McGroarty 1921 p.271
  5. ↑ Miller Guinn, James (1915). A History of California and an Extended History of Los Angeles and Environs: Also Containing Biographies of Well-known Citizens of the Past and Present, Volume 2 2. Historic Record Company. p. 202.
  6. 1 2 "In the Silent City". The Los Angeles Times. June 23, 1914. p. 1.
  7. ↑ "TIMES PAST; Accident kills founder of Ralphs". The Los Angeles Times. June 21, 2006. p. A3.
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