Archer and Daniels Begin a Linseed Business
In 1902, two very different businessmen—George A. Archer and John W. Daniels—joined forces to establish a linseed crushing business that would eventually become part of the story of one of America’s largest agricultural companies: Archer Daniels Midland, better known as ADM.
At the time, linseed oil was an important industrial product. Produced from flaxseed, the oil was used in paints, sealants and adhesives, creating an opportunity for businesses capable of efficiently processing linseed.
Archer and Daniels recognized that opportunity and began building their company around the processing and marketing of linseed products.
A Quiet Man and an Outgoing Partner
The personalities of the two founders could hardly have been more different.
George A. Archer was described as a quiet, respected figure in the linseed oil business. He was resourceful and apparently preferred to let his business accomplishments speak for themselves.
John W. Daniels, by contrast, was outgoing and brash. His personality made him extremely popular within industry associations, giving the growing business a strong presence beyond its own operations.
Despite their contrasting personalities, Archer and Daniels proved to be a formidable business team.
Their partnership combined Archer’s quiet resourcefulness with Daniels’ outgoing nature and industry connections. Together, they developed a successful operation supplying linseed oil for a variety of industrial applications.
The Scratch Paper Story
One story about George Archer illustrates the practical approach that became part of the company’s early character.
Archer was reportedly so careful and resourceful that he would slowly open the morning mail, saving the envelopes so they could be turned inside out and used as scratch paper.
That small detail may seem insignificant, but it captures an important theme in American agricultural business history: successful enterprises have often been built not only on major innovations, but also on resourcefulness, efficiency and a willingness to make the most of what is available.
In a sense, Archer and Daniels “scratched out” the beginnings of what would become a remarkably successful agricultural business.
From Linseed Crushing to ADM
The company founded by George A. Archer and John W. Daniels ultimately became known as Archer Daniels Midland, or ADM.
What began in 1902 as a linseed crushing operation grew into a major agricultural processing enterprise. The company’s history reflects the evolution of American agriculture from relatively specialized commodity processing toward increasingly sophisticated systems for processing, transporting and marketing agricultural products.
The story of Archer and Daniels is also a reminder that major agricultural companies can have surprisingly modest beginnings.
A linseed business, two very different personalities and a practical approach to business helped establish the foundation for a company whose name would eventually become synonymous with agricultural processing.
An American Agriculture History Minute
The story of George A. Archer and John W. Daniels is another example of how innovation, entrepreneurship and resourcefulness have shaped American agriculture.
Their 1902 linseed crushing venture may have started small, but the partnership ultimately helped create a lasting agricultural business legacy.