A sixty-five-dollar investment in a horse and wagon in 1903 launched a business venture that eventually transformed the global dairy industry. After his original partners dissolved their agreement while he was traveling, James L. Kraft shifted his focus to wholesale cheese distribution, laying the foundation for a multinational conglomerate that would redefine food preservation and mass production.
Early Career and Immigration
Born in 1874 near Stevensville, Ontario, James Lewis Kraft was the second of eleven children born to Mennonite parents, Minerva Alice and George Franklin Krafft. He was educated locally and gained initial experience working at Ferguson's General store in Fort Erie. In 1902, he moved to Buffalo, New York, to serve as secretary and treasurer for the Shefford Cheese Company. His tenure there proved brief, as the dissolution of his partnership left him stranded in Chicago. Using his remaining $65, he pivoted to independent wholesale distribution, a move he described with optimistic ambition despite the modest start.
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The growth of J.L. Kraft & Bros. Company relied on significant technological innovation. In 1914, the firm opened its inaugural manufacturing plant in Stockton, Illinois. Two years later, Kraft secured a patent for a pasteurization process that allowed cheese to resist spoilage without refrigeration. This breakthrough facilitated long-distance shipping, turning a localized product into a shelf-stable commodity. During World War I, the company expanded its output significantly by supplying tinned cheese to the United States military, establishing a presence that grew into the global entity later known as Kraft Foods Inc.
Diversification and Personal Interests
Beyond his corporate responsibilities, Kraft maintained eclectic personal interests, particularly in lapidary arts. He authored 'Adventure in Jade' and actively sought raw jade in Alaska and California to craft rings for his employees. His real estate activities included a failed attempt to develop a luxury resort in Lake Wales, Florida, during the 1920s. More successfully, he established Kraftwood, a sprawling retreat near Antigo, Wisconsin, reflecting his appreciation for the North Woods. He also remained deeply involved with the North Shore Baptist Church in Chicago throughout his later life.
Fast facts
- Born: 1874, Stevensville, Ontario
- Died: 1953, Chicago, Illinois
- Company founded: 1903
- First cheese manufacturing plant: 1914, Stockton, Illinois
- Notable product: Miracle Whip (1933)
- Burial site: Memorial Park Cemetery, Skokie, Illinois
- Name change: Removed one 'f' from original spelling 'Krafft'
Questions readers ask
How did the company handle product spoilage?
Kraft developed and patented a pasteurization process in 1916 that prevented cheese from spoiling, allowing for extended storage and shipping.
What was the significance of the 1903 business launch?
After his partners dissolved their agreement, Kraft used his remaining $65 to start a wholesale cheese delivery business in Chicago, which became the precursor to Kraft Foods Inc.
