The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1914-10-02

Richard w. Sears, founder Of
Sears, Rcebuck & Co, Chicago mail
order house. "a native of Minnesota,
whose business career has been one
of the most romatic I'm America, died
yesterday in hospital at Waukesha,
Wis. The body was brought to Min
neapolis last night and the inter
ment will take place in Lakewood
cemetery.
Mr.. Sears was heavily interested
in Minneapolis real estate Among his
holdings were the northeast corner
OF Fifth street and Nicollet avenue.
flans were drawn last year for
new building TO cost $500,000 that
Mr.. Sears was to have erected as
soon as rental leases Gil the property
expired.
To rise from a railroad telegraph
| operator to position among the
| country's best known capitalists was
the accomplishment of Richard w.
Sears. One opportunity came to him.
he never had to wish for another.
Born in Surfing Valley, Mimi.
ffty-one years ago. Richard Sears
led the same life as the average
Minnesota boy in small town. He
played around the railway station.
met the trains and wanted to be a
telegraph operator. He became All
operator and moved to Redwood
Falls, Mimi, where he took a posi-.
tlcn at $50 month.
Saw Mail Order Opportunity.
II was not long before he became
dissatisfied with his salary and en-
gagged in the fuel business on the
side. He was soon making more than
his salary in his side line. The mail
order came TO him as Il did to hun
dreds of others but he saw the pos
sibilities.
For good jeweled watches OF stan.
dard make. with nickel case, rail
road men were playing $40 Sears
one day sent for a watch at a lower
price, said to be a good time keeper.
He received the watch. a good one
and the house sending IL suggested
that he sell some OF them to other
railroad men.
That night he sent letter to
manufacturer asking for price in
selling lots on watch that would
give the service of the kind selling
for $40. The answer was $40 each.
Immediately railroad men along
the line were asked II they would
buy such a watch for S11.9O with
the privilege OF examination. Enough
men wanted that watch to make
Sears a profit OF 5000 On his first
order.
Moved to Chicago. 4
hnu ,,,tn IL.
great mail order business. He gave
up his job in Redwood Falls and
moved to Minneapolis, where he rent
ed part OF building and continued
his watch business. The business en-.
larged and in 1890 it was big enough
to warrant opening a Chicago branch.
Then the branch became the main
Office and in 1891 the concern was
moved to Chicago. There Mr.. Sears
formed partnership with A. W.
Roebuck and the firm continued to
sell watches.
With the coming of hard times In
1893 money was needed for groceries.
clothing and the wntch.buying fell OFF.
u was then that Sears decided TO
branch out and install lire of hard-
time goods. A general merchandise
stock was installed and the company
progressed steadily through the finan
cial stringency when older firms had
to fight to keep above water.
Annual Sales Were $4,000, 600.
IL was not many years afterward
That the company was capitalized at
Sf0,OOO.O00 and the annual sales
amounted to $5O.OOO.O0O a year. Be.
fore he disposed OF his interests I'm
the concern eight years ago the plant
covered thirty acres ana employed
5000 persons.
In the management OF this business
Mr.. Sears gave his employees respon.
sibility and trained them to use and
rely on their Judgment. The plan
succeeded and the details of the
business decreased. 4,
Mr.. Sears tastes were simple. his
home was not as elaborate as many
IN the residence section in which he
lived. but like everything else Il was
ample for his needs, His country
home was practical farmhouse, con.
tanning every comfort and few useless
articles. .r. ..a.t:f
Travelled Much Recently.
NiSi hfs retirement eight years
ago. Mr.. Sears travelled considerably
end spent more time with his family
than he had been able to do before.
he cared little for society or club
life, though one OF his hobbies was
making and keeping friends. He
never allowed his wealth or his bust
ness to make his life less enjoyable
Than IL was when he was a plain.
successful business man. and his
opinions In this respect caused much
comment
Frequently he visited MINNEAPOLIS
where his mother. Mrs. J. w. Sears.
'l32 Second avenue s. and hts two
sisters reside. Aside from his mother
ana sisters. widow, two sons and
wo daughters survive him.
Mrs. Sears was formerly Miss An.
Ia Meckstroth of lie Sueur. where
Ter family was for many years quite
prominent.