Alvah Curtis Roebuck
Co-founder of Sears, Roebuck and Company.
Alvah Curtis Roebuck was an American retail businessman who co-founded the department store Sears, Roebuck and Company alongside his partner Richard Warren Sears in 1891. Born on January 9, 1864, in Lafayette, Indiana, Roebuck entered the workforce at the age of twelve, apprenticing as a watchmaker in a jewelry store located in Hammond, Indiana. This early training in horology and jewelry directly influenced the company’s initial merchandise focus. In 1895, Roebuck requested that Sears buy out his stake in the business for approximately $20,000. Despite this sale, he remained involved at Sears’s request, taking charge of a division that handled watches, jewelry, and optical goods. Over time, this division expanded to include phonographs, magic lanterns, and motion picture machines. Roebuck’s entrepreneurial drive extended beyond the department store. He later organized and financed two separate companies: one that manufactured motion picture machines and accessories, and another that distributed them. He also served as president of the Emerson Typewriter Company from 1909 to 1924, during which time he invented an improved typewriter model known as the “Woodstock.” After spending several years in semi-retirement in Florida, the financial losses he incurred during the stock market crash of 1929 compelled him to return to Chicago. By 1933, he had rejoined Sears, Roebuck and Co., where he largely dedicated his time to compiling a comprehensive history of the company he had helped found. In September 1934, a Sears store manager invited Roebuck to make a public appearance at his location. The enthusiastic public response prompted Roebuck to embark on a multi-year tour, appearing at retail stores across the country. Roebuck married his first wife, Kittie Rice, on September 2, 1890, in York, Ontario, Canada; they had a son, Theodore, born July 2, 1891. He later married Sarah Blanche Lett, and they resided in Tujunga, Los Angeles, California. With Sarah, he had a son, Alvah Curtis Roebuck Jr., born April 27, 1914, and a daughter, Lucile May Roebuck, born April 16, 1902, who lived in Evanston, Illinois, with her husband Raymond Hiram Keeler. Roebuck died on June 18, 1948, at the age of 84, while visiting his daughter in Evanston. He was entombed in a crypt at Acacia Park Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois.
- born
- January 9, 1864, in Lafayette, Indiana
- died
- June 18, 1948, in Evanston, Illinois
- field
- Retail business, watchmaking, typewriter manufacturing
- nationality
- American
- known_for
- Co-founder of Sears, Roebuck and Company
Verified Timeline
Quick Facts
- Birth Date
- 1864-01-09
- Birth Place
- Lafayette, Indiana, U.S.
- Death Date
- 1948-06-18
- Death Place
- Evanston, Illinois, U.S.
- Resting Place
- Acacia Park Cemetery, Chicago, U.S.
- Known For
- Co-founder Sears, Roebuck & Co.
- Years Active
- 1891–1948
- Occupation
- Businessman
- Spouse
- Sarah Blanche Lett
- Children
- 3 (2 sons, 1 daughter)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Alvah Curtis Roebuck was born on January 9, 1864, in Lafayette, Indiana. He began work as a watchmaker in a Hammond, Indiana, jewelry store at age 12. In 1891, he co-founded Sears, Roebuck and Company with Richard Warren Sears. In 1895, Roebuck asked Sears to buy him out for about $20,000. At Richard Sears's request, Roebuck took charge of a division that handled watches, jewelry, optical goods, and, later, phonographs, magic lanterns and motion picture machines. His business interests did not end with Sears. He later organized and financed two companies: a manufacturer and a distributor of motion picture machines and accessories. Roebuck also served as president (1909–1924) of Emerson Typewriter Company, where he invented the improved typewriter, called the 'Woodstock.' After several years in semi-retirement in Florida, the financial losses he suffered in the stock market crash of 1929 forced Roebuck to return to Chicago. By 1933, Roebuck had rejoined Sears, Roebuck and Co., where he largely devoted his time to compiling a history of the company he helped found. In September 1934, a Sears store manager asked Roebuck to make a public appearance at his store. After an enthusiastic public turnout, Roebuck went on tour, appearing at retail stores across the country for the next several years.
Reader's Guide
Alvah Curtis Roebuck's significance lies primarily in his role as co-founder of Sears, Roebuck and Company in 1891. His early career as a watchmaker informed the company's initial focus on watches and jewelry. Although he sold his stake in 1895 for about $20,000, he later took charge of a division handling watches, jewelry, optical goods, phonographs, magic lanterns and motion picture machines. After leaving Sears, he organized and financed two companies: a manufacturer and a distributor of motion picture machines and accessories. He also served as president (1909–1924) of Emerson Typewriter Company, where he invented the improved typewriter called the 'Woodstock.' After the 1929 stock market crash forced him out of semi-retirement in Florida, he returned to Chicago and rejoined Sears by 1933, where he largely devoted his time to compiling a history of the company. In September 1934, a Sears store manager asked him to make a public appearance; after an enthusiastic turnout, he went on tour appearing at retail stores across the country for several years. His legacy is tied to the founding and early development of a retail giant.
Did You Know?
- Alvah Curtis Roebuck began work as a watchmaker in a Hammond, Indiana, jewelry store at age 12.
- In 1895, Roebuck asked Richard Warren Sears to buy him out for about $20,000.
- Roebuck served as president (1909–1924) of Emerson Typewriter Company, where he invented the improved typewriter called the 'Woodstock.'
- After the 1929 stock market crash, Roebuck returned to Chicago and rejoined Sears, Roebuck and Co. by 1933 to compile a history of the company.
- In September 1934, a Sears store manager asked Roebuck to make a public appearance; after an enthusiastic turnout, he went on tour appearing at retail stores across the country for several years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Alvah Curtis Roebuck?
He was an American retail entrepreneur best known for teaming up with Richard Warren Sears in 1891 to launch Sears, Roebuck and Company, which went on to become one of the most recognizable retail names in the United States.
What was Roebuck doing before he co-founded Sears?
Prior to entering the retail world, he worked in watchmaking and typewriter manufacturing, experiences that gave him a practical understanding of product quality and industrial production.
How did the Sears, Roebuck partnership come about?
Roebuck joined forces with Richard Warren Sears in 1891 to build a mail-order catalog operation that later expanded into a full-scale department store chain.
Why does Alvah Curtis Roebuck matter in business history?
His collaboration with Sears helped pioneer the mail-order model and the modern department store format, fundamentally reshaping how American consumers shopped for goods over the following century.
When and where was Alvah Curtis Roebuck born, and when did he die?
He was born on January 9, 1864, in Lafayette, Indiana, and died on June 18, 1948, in Evanston, Illinois.
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