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 South. 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.
On June 21, 1914, Ralphs was with his family for a weekend trip to the San Bernardino Mountains. In the process, one of his legs got caught and was severely injured.
He was taken to Ramona Hospital (now known as Community Hospital of San Bernardino) where he underwent surgery to have his injured leg amputated.
Ralphs"s body was shipped back to Hollywood where he and his family lived. His funeral was held on June 24. He was buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Los Los Angeles