McManus 168

Family

Alex who had been born on 24-11-1821 married Elizabeth Mitchell, the daughter of John Mitchell, a Dundee architect and his wife Elizabeth on 14-11-1848.

They had two boys, James born in Dundee on 14-11-1849, and John Mitchell (who was to succeed him in the business) born in Dundee on 01-01-1851.

The family moved home on a number of occasions, 21 Castle Street, 3 Nelson Street, 15 Rose Street, 4 Rose Angle, 6 Hawkhill Place and finally 164 Nethergate. All homes were within easy walking distance of the city centre business premises which were at Castle Street, New Inn Entry, Gray’s Close, Reform Street, Campbell’s Close and Rankine’s Court^[18].

Despite Alex owning numerous houses in Dundee he rented 164 Nethergate where he lived for many of his latter years.

Business

In 1860 Alex and his two brothers set up a partnership to run their late father’s business, James Keiller & Son. Alex owned the major part of the company which, during the 60s was to grow bigger than either Cadbury’s or Rowntree’s^[22].

Apart from some locally produced fruits, all raw materials had to be imported to Dundee. Seville oranges came from Spain via London^[23], orange peel from Sicily via London^[24], lemons from Sicily via London ^[25], sugar from Netherlands either via London or direct to Dundee^[23] or from the West Indies via Glasgow^[23], coal came from Newcastle^[23], and clay jars also came from Newcastle^[26]. All deliveries were by sea. The Dundee and Perth & London Shipping Company ran a service from Glasgow via the Forth and Clyde canal^[27]. From further afield, ships were usually chartered^[28]. This reliance on shipping no doubt led to Alex’s interest in harbour facilities and his being elected to the Dundee Harbour Trust^[29].

His other interests included his church, Free Saint Paul’s in Nethergate, Dundee where he was a member of the Deacon’s Court.

The firm James Keiller & Son did not own the business premises but rented them from the owner who was none other than Alexander himself, an arrangement which seems unusual in the 21st century but which was ordinary at that time^[18].

Legacy
Alex made many business trips abroad. Alex died, on his way home from Seville, in Gibraltar on 09-02-1877. He was buried beside his wife in the Western Cemetery, Dundee. The Dundee Courier and Argus printed an obituary, an extract from which is given below:

“It is with much regret that we this morning announce the death of Mr Alexander Keiller, the senior partner in the firm of James Keiller and son, confectioners. Four weeks ago Mr Keiller left this for Spain, and after transacting his business in Seville had returned to Gibraltar on his way home. For some days he had been unwell, but no serious result was expected until last Tuesday, when a telegram requesting the presence of his son was received. From that day till his death on Friday night [9th February] he lay unconscious. Mr Keiller was the son of Mr James Keiller, the founder of the firm. He was born in 1821, educated at the Seminaries and entered the business in 1839. It has been mainly owing to his shrewd sagacity, clear foresight, steady attention and indomitable energy that the business has grown from a comparatively small beginning to its present extent. Naturally of a reserved disposition Mr Keillor seldom appeared in connection with public affairs, but he always took a lively interest in the welfare of the town. Mr Keiller was an official in the congregation of Free St Pauls…” ^[30]

On 19th April 1877, his son John Mitchell Keiller was confirmed as his executor: Value of Estate, £203110 9s 1d.

“10 April 1877- Confirmation of Alexander Keiller, sometime called called Alexander Riddoch Keiller, Wholesale Confectioner, who died 9 February 1877, at Gibraltar, testate, granted at Dundee, to John Mitchell Keiller, Wholesale Confectioner, Dundee, his son, Executor nominated in Will or Deed, dated 3 August 1871, and recorded in Court Books of Commissariot of Forfar, 3 April 1877.”

Alex did not donate any artefacts or pictures to the McManus. However, his grandson, in 1952, donated a portrait of his grandfather by Norman Macbeth, which had been completed posthumously in 1879. He also gave the gallery one of his grandmother, “Mrs Alex Keiller (Nee Elizabeth Mitchell)” by an unknown artist and “Hunting Party at Stobhall in Carse of Gowrie 1887” by Thomas A F Graham.