Champ, George H.

CHAMP

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 9/16/2019 at 15:45:19

George H. Champ

(From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p.477)
GEORGE H. CHAMP, of the firm of KIMBALL & CHAMP, bankers, and Vice President of the KIMBALL & CHAMP Investment Company, was born November 13, 1856, at Rockford, Illinois, whither his parents, Frederick and Frances (LUCAS) CHAMP, Natives of England, had moved in their younger days. He was their second son, and is the only member of the family now living. As he grew up, he received a liberal education in the public schools of his native village and completed a commercial course of instruction in Chicago. In the spring of 1879, he came to Omaha in quest of a business position, and in July he came over to Council Bluffs. Here he met his present partner, John F. KIMBALL, a young man in pursuit of the same object. Forming a partnership, they purchased the old abstract books of J.P. & J.N. CASADY and began to lay the foundation of their present large and growing business. They have since added money-lending and finally banking, and today their investment securities are well and favorably known even in the East. They are now doing the largest business in their line in the Missouri River Valley. They have built two of the finest blocks in the city. One, the Grand Hotel Block, a cut of which appears on page 476, is probably the finest private building in the State of Iowa.

Mr. CHAMP also has a half interest in the Bank of Minden, at Minden, this state; and he is also a member of the firm of KIMBALL, CHAMP & RYAN, bond brokers in Omaha. He is known as one of the leading young businessmen of the state. Unaided and alone, he has risen from a small beginning to an eminence in the social and business world that is rarely attained in a long and successful business life. The firm are indeed examples of what young men may accomplish by adhering to the principles of integrity when they have natural ability and untiring energy.