Hello Westher.
I wonder if you are related to the Gees?
My information is that Fred (GF Gee) took over the business with his brother Ernest and ran it for some time. There was a parting of the ways at some stage and Ernest went into business on his own - something similar I suspect as he described himself as a retail draper.
Sons of both families continued to run their separate family businesses; Gees on Medlock Street closed in the 1960s when the site was acquired for the building of the Mancunian Way and Ernest's sons ran their (bedding) business in Altrincham until the 1970s.
The original Gees business expanded into manufacturing and, I understand, had contracts to supply uniforms etc to many local businesses including Kelloggs, Morris Motors, Mother's Pride bakery.
I too gather Martha was quite a driving force in the early days of the business and deduce that Fred Gee drove the later expansion (and profitability) into manufacturing. The 1901 census demonstrates to me the energy and focus that went into the business as all the family are living at home and working for Martha.
I have struggled to find traces of William Gee prior to the 1871 census and wonder where he was brought up; relatives tell me that his parents were Samuel Gee (1821-1871) and Elizabeth Owen (b1821) but with so many Gees in the Manchester area I have been unable to satisfactorily link William to them nor to his grandparents assumed to be William Gee of Latchford (1770-1822) and Martha Stockton (1775-1841).
Anything you can add would be appreciated.
Regards
Jeremy
