George A. Archer (c. 1850 – November 12, 1932) was an American businessman. He was the co-founder, chief executive officer and chairman of Archer Daniels Midland.

George A. Archer
Bornc. 1850
DiedNovember 12, 1932 (aged 81-82)
Resting placeDayton, Ohio, U.S.
OccupationBusinessman
Known forco-founder of Archer Daniels Midland
SpouseHarriet Archer
Children1 son, 1 daughter
ParentWilliam S. Archer

Early life

edit

George A. Archer was born c. 1850 in Dayton, Ohio.[1] His grandfather made linseed oil[2] and his father, William S. Archer, was the owner of a linseed factory in Dayton, where he had co-founded Clegg, Wood & Co. (later known as Wood, Archer & Co.) in 1844.[2]

Career

edit

Archer began his career by working in his father's factory in the 1870s.[2] By 1884, he opened his own linseed factory in Yankton, South Dakota, and founded Archer & Co.[2] Archer moved his business to Minneapolis in 1889, and sold the factory to American Linseed Co.[2]

Archer partnered with John W. Daniels, and they co-founded Archer-Daniels in 1904.[2] When they purchased Midland Linseed Products Co. in 1912, it became known as Archer Daniels Midland.[2] Archer was its chief executive officer and chairman.[2] The company turned linseed or flaxseed into oil.[2] By the 1930s, the company had become "the largest in the world."[2][clarification needed]

Personal life and death

edit

Archer had a wife, Harriet.[1] They had a son, Shreve, and a daughter, Luella.[1] They resided at Dellwood in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and they spent their winters in Phoenix, Arizona.[1]

Archer died of pneumonia on November 12, 1932, in White Bear Lake, at the age of 82.[1] He was buried in Dayton, Ohio.[2]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d e "Archer Rites Held In East". The Arizona Republic. Phoenix, Arizona. p. 14. Retrieved March 20, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "George Archer Is Dead At 82. Chairman of Board of Archer-Daniels-Midland--Builder of Linseed Industry". Star Tribune. Minneapolis, Minnesota. November 13, 1932. pp. 1, 6. Retrieved March 20, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.