The Biographical Dictionary of America/Armour, Philip D.

ARMOUR, Philip D., manufacturer, was born at Stockbridge, Madison county, N. Y., May 16, 1832. He received a common-school education, and when twenty years old went with a party to California in search of gold, where he remained for several years. Upon his return he settled in Milwaukee, Wis., where he engaged in a grocery and commission business. In 1863 he became associated with John Plankinton in the business of packing pork and beef. In 1875 he removed to Chicago and greatly extended the business. In 1895 his establishment employed twelve thousand persons, to whom it paid in wages nearly seven millions of dollars annually. Mr. Armour also owned a number of grain elevators and a glue factory. Two of his best known charities are the Armour mission and the Armour institute in Chicago, costing $1,500,000. He died in Chicago, Ill., Jan. 6, 1901.