George Keller & Sons Co.

 

 

          Fifteen years after the Civil War, George Keller, a blacksmith and wagon maker by trade, opened a retail farm equipment business in an alley barn loft in Quincy, Illinois.  In 1882, he constructed a two and one-half story frame building on the northeast corner of Ninth and Maine.

 

          Later, his four sons joined him in business:  Oscar in 1898, Art in 1907, Roy in 1912, and Ralph in 1915.  As the business grew, the Keller's erected the present brick two-story building in 1928, razing the old frame structure.  Over the years, the firm added warehouses, seed processing plants, an in-house seed testing laboratory, and machine repair shop.

 

          Keller's built a strong reputation for quality and expertise with the addition of wholesale and retail field seed, lawn seed, and wild bird food departments.  K-Brand Seed and John Deere farm equipment became the trademarks of the Keller business.  The company evolved from buggies, wagons, and wooden farm implements to become one of the oldest John Deere equipment dealerships in the United States still operated by the same family.

 

          Keller's incorporated in 1954.  The following year, Robert G., William G., Arthur and James, grandsons of the original George Keller, assumed management.  G. Arthur Keller, Jr., his great-grandson, now serves as president.

 

          Today, Keller's retail store offers a full line of outdoor power and lawn equipment, farm machinery, parts and service.  They market an extensive array of K-Brand field seed, lawn seed, wild bird food, and lawn and garden products to retail and wholesale customers.  Now into their second century of business, George Keller and Sons Co. is committed to building on a long-standing reputation of highest quality, value, and service.