San Joaquin County Biographies
Ref: Page 1628-1629
Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 2/23/2010
ALEXANDER A. KELS
An apt and energetic young business man of Lodi, whose success is due in part to his very thorough knowledge of the meat business, is Alexander A. Kels, the founder and proprietor of the Pacific Meat Market located at No. 200 North Sacramento street, as well as the Tokay Meat Market, No. 25 South School street. A native of Germany, he was born near Cologne, on October 3, 1884, and on October 5, 1885, he was brought by his parents to Platte County, Neb. He is a son of Peter and Charlotta (Altgeldt) Kels. They were farmers in Nebraska until 1895. Peter Kels came to Fresno, where he engaged in ranching until his death. His widow resides in Santa Rosa. Of their eight children, Alexander A. is next to the youngest, and he attended the public schools in Fresno County. After finishing the grammar school, he entered the butcher shop of Mr. Bracker to learn the butcher's trade, where he remained until 1906, when he removed to Lodi and entered the employ of Guggolz & Meehle as cutter and butcher. The following year he purchased the interest of J.C. Guggolz and the business was continued under the firm name of Meehle and Kels, which continued the Pacific Market until the death of Mr. Meehle, at which time Mr. Kels purchased his interest in the business from his widow. During 1917 he built the modern brick block, 50x125 feet, on his lot at the corner of Sacramento and Locust streets and located at No. 200 North Sacramento street. Since then his plant has become one of the most modern, up-to-date and sanitary markets in northern California; recently two cold storage rooms have been installed where meat is hung for curing; the sales room is modern, with tile floors, white enamel walls and the most modern fixtures obtainable. In 1923 he established the Tokay Market, No. 25 South School street, with a cold storage plant. They employ competent and experienced cutters and carry only the best quality of meat, and conduct both a retail and wholesale business. His abattoir is located 1¼ miles northeast of Lodi and he uses five delivery trucks in his business. He is also interested in ranching and stockraising. He owns a 50-acre vineyard, which he has improved from a stubblefield. He also owns a ranch of 160 acres on Telegraph Road and leases a thousand acres more. On his ranches he raises about 200 head of cattle. He also buys and ships cattle.
The marriage of Mr. Kels, in Lodi, united him with Miss Annie T. Handlin, a native of San Jose, Cal., and they have one daughter, Mary Laverne. Fraternally he is a member of the Woodmen of the World, the Foresters of America, the Modern Woodmen, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, No. 848, the Knights of Columbus, and the Lodi Merchants Association. He is a dependable citizen in every sense of the word and can be counted upon to do his share toward the upbuilding of his locality.
History of
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY
CALIFORNIA
With A
Biographical Review
of
The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been
Identified with Its Growth and Development
from the Early Days to the Present
HISTORY BY
George H. Tinkham
HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
1923
San Joaquin County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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