HISTORY: 1865 William Wallace (W. W.) Cargill becomes the proprietor of a grain warehouse. 1870 Founder W. W. Cargill establishes his headquarters in Albert Lea, Minnesota, taking advantage of the Southern Minnesota Railroad’s expansion. 1875 , W. W. Cargill expands his business beyond grain, handling commodities like coal, flour, feed, lumber and seeds, as well as investing in railroads, land, water irrigation and farms. 1885 W. W. Cargill and his two brothers own or control over 100 grain storage structures, amounting to a total grain capacity of over 1.6 million bushels. 1912 Following W. W. Cargill’s passing in 1909, John MacMillan, Sr., assumes leadership of his late father-in-law’s company. 1988 Cargill’s portfolio of products and services expands significantly. Alongside grain, feed, seeds, oilseeds and corn milling, businesses include chemicals, cocoa, coffee, cotton, eggs, fertilizer, financial services, flour, juices, malt, meat, molasses, peanuts, petroleum, pork, poultry, rubber, salt, steel, turkey and wool.