George Albert Ralphs was an American businessman. He founded the Ralphs supermarket chain in Southern California, with the help of his brother Walter.
Ralphs was born in Missouri. His family moved to San Bernardino, California when he was a child. As an adult, Ralphs worked in Los Angeles area as a bricklayers apprentice. After losing one of his hands in a hunting accident, Ralphs began working as a clerk in a grocery store. He opened his first store, Ralphs and Francis, in 1873, in the Spring Street Financial District of Los Angeles with S. A. Francis. In 1879, Ralphs brother Walter bought Francis share of the company which was renamed Ralphs Brothers. The company incorporated in 1909 as Ralphs Grocery Company.
Source: Wikipedia