George A. Archer

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.

Early life

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

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] The company initially operated as a linseed crushing business.[3] Over the years, the company expanded and diversified.[3] When they purchased Midland Linseed Products Co. in 1912, it became known as Archer Daniels Midland.[2] The company turned linseed or flaxseed into oil.[2] The product, linseed oil, was used in the manufacture of various industrial products including paint, soap, and lubricants.[4] Archer served as its chief executive officer while Daniels served as the chairman.[2][5] By 1913, Archer was reported as the vice president.[6] By the 1930s, the company had become "the largest in the world."[2] In 1931, Daniels died and Archer replaced him as chairman of the company.[5]

Personal life and death

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]