William de la Barre

William de la Barre (1849–1936) was a notable engineer and industrialist in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was born in Austria and immigrated to the United States in 1864. He is best known for his work with the Pillsbury Company, where he served as chief engineer and later as vice president.

Early Life and Education

De la Barre was born in Austria in 1849. He attended the Polytechnic Institute of Vienna, where he studied civil engineering. After graduating, he immigrated to the United States in 1864.

Career

In 1878, de la Barre joined the Pillsbury Company, a major flour milling company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He initially served as the company's chief engineer, where he was responsible for designing and overseeing the construction of new mills and improving existing ones. His innovations in mill design and operation significantly increased the company's production capacity and efficiency.

In 1887, de la Barre was promoted to vice president of the Pillsbury Company. In this role, he oversaw the company's expansion into new markets and helped to establish it as one of the leading flour milling companies in the world.

Legacy

De la Barre's contributions to the Pillsbury Company and the flour milling industry as a whole were significant. His innovative engineering designs and strategic leadership helped to transform Pillsbury into a global leader in the industry. Today, he is remembered as one of the key figures in the development of the modern flour milling industry.

See Also

• Pillsbury Company
• Flour milling
• Industrial Revolution in the United States