On a snowy morning in December 1873, French A. Balthis, a master watchmaker, opened the doors of his new jewelry store on the north side of Main Street in Charlottesville. It was only 8-years after the hostilities between the South and North had ceased, the war a vivid memory. Charlottesville was full of promise as the city began rebuilding its commerce and industry. In November 1874 Thomas S. Keller, then a lieutenant in the Monticello Guard and later the commander, joined Balthis, his cousin, in the business. With Keller, a master engraver, as his partner Balthis was able to move the store to better quarters at No.1 Alexander Block on the southwest corner of 4th street (then called Union Street), and enlarge the inventory to include the latest styles in watches, jewelry, solid silver and plated ware, silver spoons, jet goods, pearl goods, and clocks, and advertised jewelry and watch repair services. After a decade of doing business together, Balthis and George dissolved their partnership and set up separate stores. Keller maintained the shop at No.1 Alexander Block for a year before moving it to southeast corner of 3rd and Main Streets. The same year16-year-old Harry Alexander George, who was trained as a watchmaker, joined the firm as the assistant to the watchmaker. In 1893 Harry Alexander George celebrated his 25th birthday by purchasing a partnership in the firm, and the company was renamed Keller & George Jewelers. Keller & George filled its first prescription for eyeglasses in 1899 for Miss Eliza Faris of Red Hill. For many years, Keller & George served as division watch inspector for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad, which required quarterly visits from the Keller & George watchmakers to inspect the station agent’s watches and insure accuracy. Keller & George is a founding member of the American Gem Society (AGS), which was established in 1934 as a protection to American consumers.
