1906 S. Prairie

It functioned for 22 years as a Presbyterian women’s boarding house known as Esther Club before it was razed in 1942.

1906 S. Prairie

Chicago Tribune, September 23, 1896

The story of Edson Keith is the story of a long, honored life. He had lived in this city from earky manhood, starting his career as a clerk in a business house forty-two years ago, and working his way upward to a long but sure ladder till he became a senior partner in a wholesale firm. His interests spread, and his ventures prospered in an amazing way. He identified himself with large civic organizations, with the Art Institute, and, in an unostentatious way, with charities. No man stood higher with his business associates and no man apparently ever had more to live for.

Mr. Keith was born in Barre, Vt., Jan. 28, 1833, and was therefore 63 years of age. He traced his ancestry to the Scotch, the Keith family having come to America in 1660. He passed his boyhood days attending common schools in his native town, and assisting his father, who was a farmer. He was one of a large family of boys.

At the age of 17 years he left home and went to Montpelier, where he spent the next four years of his life. In 1854 he journeyed to Chicago, getting a position at once in a retail store as a clerk. Two years later he branched out into the wholesale business, becoming a salesman and collector in the firm of Benedict, Mallory & Farnum, dealers in hats, caps, and furs. He was with this firm four years.

At the end of this period he associated himself with his brother, O. R. Keith, and A. E. Faxon, under the firm name of Keith, Faxon & Co. In 1865 Faxon retired, and Elbridge G. Keith, a younger brother, was admitted into partnership in his place, the style of the firm being made at that time Keith Brothers. The oartners were jobbers of hats, caps, furs, and millinery.

Leader in Many Ventures.
O. R. Keith, withdrew from Keith Bros. in 1879 and established the business of O. R. Keith & Co., which continued tll 1881, when the two firms were consolidated and the name was made Edson Keith & Co., which it has remained to this day.

Mr. Keith’s brother, Elbridge G. Keith, is President of the Metropolitan National Bank, and Edson Keith was also a heavy stockholder and director in the same institution. Edson Keith had always had a say in management of the bank, which was one of his largest ventures. He was President of Edson Keith & Co., the firm which was the outgrowth of the first business; he was President of the corporation of Keith Bros. & Co., dealers in hats and caps; was a director in the Calumet and Chicago Canal and Dock company; was at the head of the large terminal grain elevator controlled by Keith & Co.; and until a year ago he was a director in the Chicago Edison company, having served since its consolidation with the Chicago Arc Light and Power company in 1892.

Edson Keith, committed suicide on September 21, 1896 by drowning himself in Lake Michigan at the foot of Sixteenth street. Mr. Keith resided at 1906 S. Prairie Avenue.

1906 S. Prairie Ave.
Robinson Fire Insurance Map
1886