My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE KEPHART. One of the prominent business enterprises of Berrien Springs is the grocery store owned and managed by the gentleman with whose name we introduce this sketch. His establishment is stocked with full and complete assortments of everything in the line of staple and fancy groceries, fruits and vegetables in their season, teas and coffees, and grocers’ sundries. The complete knowledge of the business possessed by the proprietor is shown in the great care taken in the selection of the stock, by which he has commended himself to the favor of the citizens of Berrien Springs and vicinity. The establishment is a favorite one with the people here, and the energy of the owner has secured for it a steady and growing success.

Elsewhere in this volume will be found an account of the life of Dr. Philip Kephart, father of our subject; also of his mother, whose maiden name was Susan Kimball, and whose father, George Kimball, was one of the early settlers of Berrien County. The subject of this sketch was born in Berrien Springs on the 24th of February, 1858, and gained the rudiments of his education in the public schools of this village. Later he entered the Northwestern University at, Evanston, Ill., where he was a student for three years. Afterward he conducted his studies in Chaddock Commercial College, of Kalamazoo, from which institution he was graduated in 1878.

Forming a partnership with his brother Augustus in 1880, under the firm name of A. Kephart & Bro., our subject embarked in the general mercantile business at Berrien Springs. After a connection of seven years the firm was dissolved and the business sold. In the fall of 1886 our subject and his brother Walter, under the firm name of Kephart Bros., purchased the grocery store of Boling Bros. & Co., and conducted a lucrative business until 1892, when George purchased his brother’s interest, and has since conducted the business alone. He is one of the intelligent and enterprising merchants of Berrien Springs, and his activity is rapidly advancing the commercial status of the village.

March 4, 1886, occurred the marriage of George Kephart to Miss Delia Eaton, the accomplished daughter of Wheeler Eaton, of Tecumseh, Mich. One son, George, Jr., has been born of this marriage. In his political affiliations Mr. Kephart is a stanch Republican, but has never been solicitous for office, preferring to devote his energies entirely to his business. He served as Trustee of the village of Berrien Springs for three years, and in office, as well as in private life, endeavors to promote the interests of the village where he makes his home.