Jonathan Ogden Armour

Background

Jonathan was born on Nov. 11, 1863 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States, to Philip Danforth and Malvina Belle (Ogden) Armour.

Education

At the request of his father, founder of the packing firm bearing his name, Jonathan left Yale University in 1884 at the end of his junior year to enter the family business.

Career

He devoted himself to mastering every phase of the industry until 1901, when he assumed complete control following the deaths of his older brother, Philip, and his father. Under his direction the company increased its annual sales from $200 million in 1900 to one billion dollars in 1920, and extended its increasingly efficient operations throughout the United States and into Latin America, Canada, and Australia. He also acquired extensive holdings in banks and railroads in the Chicago area. The post-World War I depression forced him to liquidate most of his holdings in the amount of $100 million to $150 million, and surrender control of Armour and Company. He died in London on Aug. 16, 1927.

Achievements

• Armour and Company became one of the leading grain dealers and leather and fertilizer producers of the world. During the period 1900-1923 Jonathan became one of the largest speculators in the grain and provision markets, a role in which he always took great pride.

Works

More photos

• book

  • The Packers, the Private Car Lines and the People

    (This Elibron Classics book is a facsimile reprint of a 19...)

  • Armour And Company, 1919...

    (This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. T...)

  • Business Problems of the War BUSINESS PROBLEMS OF THE WAR BY Armour, Jonathan Ogden ( Author ) May-20-2009 BUSINESS PROBLEMS OF THE WAR BUSINESS PROBLEMS OF THE WAR BY ARMOUR, JONATHAN OGDEN ( AUTHOR ) MAY-20-2009 By Armour, Jonathan Ogden ( Author )May-20-2009 Paperback
  • In the matter of the investigation of the packing industry: Testimony of J. Ogden Armour on behalf of Armour and company January 21, 1919 before the ... licensing ... of the meat packing industry

Connections

He met the former Lola Sheldon in 1891. They married in Mexico in 1892, and had one daughter, also named Lola.

Father:

Philip Danforth Armour, Sr.

Mother:

Malvina Ogden

Brother:

Philip Danforth Armour, Jr.