Ferdinand Schumacher

Ferdinand Schumacher
Born	Template:Birth date Celle, Kingdom of Hanover
Died	1908
Occupation	Businessman
Known for	Originator of enterprises that combined to form the Quaker Oats Company

Ferdinand Schumacher (1822–1908), often referred to as The Oatmeal King, was an American businessman and one of the originators of enterprises that later combined to form the Quaker Oats Company.

Biography

Schumacher was born on March 30, 1822, in Celle, within the Kingdom of Hanover, as the son of a merchant. He gained experience in the grocery sector and mastered traditional oat milling techniques. At the age of 28, he and his brother Otto relocated to the United States. After spending two years engaged in farming, he launched a grocery business in Akron, Ohio, in 1852. Leveraging his knowledge from Germany about oat processing for breakfast consumption, he began manufacturing oatmeal in Akron by 1854. Early sales were sluggish because locals primarily considered oats as animal fodder. To address this, Schumacher innovated a new processing approach that simplified oat preparation for human consumption.

In 1857, he secured water power rights along the Ohio Canal in northwest Akron to operate an oatmeal mill. By 1858, he had diversified into barley pearling and incorporated steam power by 1875, steadily enlarging his production capabilities.

In 1851, Schumacher wed his cousin Hermine; together they had seven children, with three surviving into adulthood. The couple were active proponents of the temperance movement and advocated for prohibition. Additionally, Schumacher supported various church initiatives.

From a political standpoint, he campaigned unsuccessfully as the Prohibition Party candidate for Ohio Secretary of State in both 1872 and 1882 and sought the governorship in 1883.

External links

• Description of Ferdinand Schumacher (archived) at the Cleveland Memory Project