Spencer Kellogg & Sons, Inc.
| Industry | Plant oils, Shipping |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1912 in Buffalo, New York, United States |
| Fate | Sold to Textron in 1961 |
Key people |
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| Products | Linseed oil, Soybean oil, Castor oil |
Spencer Kellogg & Sons, Inc. was established in 1912 with its main office located in Buffalo, New York. The company operated several crushing facilities processing flaxseed, soybean, copra (in Manila), castor beans, and maintained a tung oil refinery in Hankou, China. It emerged as a prominent producer of linseed, soybean, and castor oils.
History
The enterprise was founded by Spencer Kellogg in 1912, initially concentrating on extracting linseed oil from flax seeds before diversifying into castor and other plant oils. Facilities were maintained in Manila for coconut oil and in Hankou for tung oil refining. Its distribution methods transitioned from truck and rail to steamship transportation over time. In 1934, the firm launched a subsidiary named Kellogg Steamship Corporation and acquired its inaugural tanker vessel, the SS Elizabeth Kellogg.
Spencer Kellogg gained expertise in the oil industry through his grandfather Supplina Kellogg, who started operations in Amsterdam, New York in 1824. His sons—Howard (who became president in 1922), Morris, and Donald—played significant leadership roles. The company’s Buffalo terminal housed bulk linseed oil storage tanks situated south of the Prenatt Street rail lines. Additionally, it ran an oilseed processing facility with pier and warehouse amenities in Edgewater, New Jersey. By 1938, Spencer Kellogg & Sons had established its soybean division headquarters in Decatur, Illinois.
The firm contributed to the World War II effort before being acquired by Textron in 1961.
World War II
Throughout World War II, Spencer Kellogg & Sons operated merchant vessels under contracts with the United States Shipping Board and collaborated with the Maritime Commission and War Shipping Administration. The company managed Liberty and Victory class ships crewed by its personnel while US Navy Armed Guards handled deck armaments and communications. This involvement supported wartime logistics and enhanced the company’s presence in international maritime operations.
Ships
- The SS Elizabeth Kellogg was sunk by a torpedo on November 23, 1943, near Colón, Panama.
- The SS Linseed King, which operated from the Edgewater pier to transport workers, tragically sank in the Hudson River on December 20, 1926, causing numerous fatalities.
- Liberty ships managed during World War II included:
- Oscar S. Straus
- Joseph Goldberger
- Christopher L. Sholes
- Richard J. Cleveland
- Thomas F. Cunningham
- Henry L. Ellsworth
These vessels played a vital role in expanding Spencer Kellogg & Sons’ business through wartime shipping contracts and increasing its influence within maritime transportation.