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Founders of Famous American Businesses

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Marquis Mills Converse (1861 - 1931)
Founder of the Converse Rubber Shoe Company. At age 47, Marquis Mills Converse, who was previously a manager at a footwear manufacturing firm, opened the Converse Rubber Shoe Company in February 1908...
William Henry Belk, Sr (1862 - 1952)
William Henry Belk founded the first Belk department store in Monroe, N.C., in 1888. The store was first called "New York Racket" and then "Belk Brothers," after Belk made his brother, Dr. John Belk, a...
Kenneth Harry Olsen (1926 - 2011)
Pioneering US computer pioneer, founder of Digital Equipment Corporation. Wikipedia (English)
Kate Spade (1962 - 2018)
Kate Spade was an American fashion designer and businessperson. She was the founder and former co-owner of the iconic designer brand Kate Spade New York. After working in the accessories department a...
Elmer Carl Kiekhaefer (1906 - 1983)
Elmer Carl Kiekhaefer was the founder of Mercury Marine. He took over the fledgeling Thor outboard company, redesigned them to be dependable, and his Mercury Outboard empire grew for there. His factory...