Richard Warren Sears
American Businessman, Founder
Richard Warren Sears Rank
About Richard Warren Sears
Richard Warren Sears, a former station agent in the railroad sector, used the proceeds from a rejected watch consignment to grow into the business tycoon. Along with his partner Alvah Curtis Roebuck, Sears is credited with founding Sears, Roebuck and Company.
Life and Career
He began working as a telegraph operator for Minneapolis and St. Louis Railway in 1880 to provide for his family following his father’s passing. Later, he was sent to work as a station agent in North Redwood Falls, Minnesota. He had three children with Anna Lydia Mechstroth.
When a local Redwood Falls jeweler refused to accept a watch shipment, he disposed of them by selling them at a low price. With his $5,000 profit, he established the R.W. Sears Watch Company in Minneapolis in 1886 as a mail-order watch company.
He relocated his business to Chicago in 1887 and employed watchmaker Alvah Curtis Roebuck to fix any watches that were returned. His first worker was Roebuck, with whom he went on to co-found the business. By 1900, there were 853,000 Sears catalogs in circulation.
Did you know?
The businessman was posthumously inducted into the Junior Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame in 1992.
Death
His health deteriorated due to his excessive drinking. He died of Bright’s disease in 1914, aged 50.
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F.A.Q. about Richard Warren Sears
When is Richard Warren Sears' birthday?
Richard Warren Sears' birthday is on December 7, 1863.
In how many days is Richard Warren Sears' birthday?
Richard Warren Sears' birthday is in 307 days
How old was Richard Warren Sears when he/she died?
Richard Warren Sears was 50 years old.
When did Richard Warren Sears die?
Richard Warren Sears died in September 28, 1914.
How old would Richard Warren Sears be today?
Richard Warren Sears would be 159 years old if he/she was alive today.
Where was Richard Warren Sears from?
Richard Warren Sears was born in Stewartville, Minnesota.