William H. Danforth

William H. Danforth (September 10, 1870 – December 24, 1955) was an American businessman known for founding Ralston Purina in St. Louis, Missouri in 1894. He was a co-founder of the American Youth Foundation (AYF) and the author of the book, I Dare You!.

For his grandson, the physician and university chancellor, see William Henry Danforth.
William H. Danforth
BornSeptember 10, 1870
Charleston, Missouri, U.S.
DiedDecember 24, 1955(1955-12-24) (aged 85)
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Alma materWashington University in St. Louis
OccupationFounder, Ralston Purina
Spouse(s)Adda Bush (m. 1894-death)

Early life and education

Danforth was raised in Charleston, Missouri.[1] He graduated from Washington University in St. Louis.

Career

Ralston's checkerboard logo evolved from a personal development concept Danforth put forth in his book I Dare You! (1931) , in which he used a checkerboard to explain it. Danforth proposed that four key components in life need to be in balance. In the illustration, "Physical" was on the left, "Mental" on top, "Social" on right and "Religious" on the bottom. To be healthy, you needed the four squares to stay in balance and one area was not to develop at expense of the other.[2] The concept became intertwined with the company in 1921 when it began selling feed that was pressed in cubes called "checkers." The Christian Science Monitor named I Dare You! as one of the top 10 self-help books of all time.[3]

Through the Danforth Foundation, he subsidized the construction of 24 Danforth Chapels on college campuses around the United States, and one in Japan.[4] Berea College, which Danforth attended, has one of them. It is part of the Draper Building. The outer wall contains stones from Danforth's personal collection, obtained from various locations of historic importance.

Personal life

Danforth's son was Donald Danforth, a former chief executive of the company. His grandsons include former U.S. Senator John Danforth and former Washington University chancellor William "Bill" H. Danforth.

Notes
  1. "1880 Census records". Family Search. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  2. Nestle Purina Founder's page retrieved July 8, 2011
  3. Molly Driscoll, "10 Best Self-Help Books of All-Time," Christian Science Monitor (April 26, 2012). Unfortunately, Danforth STOLE the concept from the Brigades that was founded in Glasgow, Scotland in 1880. He NEVER gave them Credit.
  4. Danforth Chapel Origins East Valley Tribune Oct 19, 2007, retrieved July 8, 2011


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