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{{Short description|American businessman (1920–1992)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
|birthname = John Francis Geisse
| birthname = John Francis Geisse
|image =
| name =
|width =
| image = John_F._Geisse,_American_businessman.jpg
|caption =
| caption = Geisse {{circa|1980s-90s}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1920|9|1|mf=yes}}
|small_image =
⚫
| birth_place = [[Madison, Wisconsin]], US
|birth_date = 1921
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1992|2|21|1920|9|1|mf=yes}}
⚫
|birth_place = [[Madison, Wisconsin]]
⚫
| death_place = [[Indianapolis, Indiana]], U.S.
|death_date = 1992 (age 71)
|death_place = [[Indianapolis, Indiana]]
| resting_place = [[Crown Hill Cemetery]], Indianapolis, Indiana
|party =
| party =
|otherparty =
| occupation = Businessman
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| education = [[St. John's College High School|St. John's College HS]]<br>[[United States Naval Academy]]
|relations =
|spouse = Mary Wakeen
| signature =
⚫
| website =
|civil partner =
|children =
|residence =
|occupation = [[Businessman]]
|religion =
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|education = [[United States Naval Academy]]
|networth =
|signature =
⚫
|website =
}}
}}


'''John Francis Geisse''' (1920-February 21, 1992) was an American businessman, the founder of Target Discount Stores, Venture Stores and The Wholesale Club (merged in 1991 with Sam’s Clubs).  
'''John Francis Geisse''' (September 1, 1920 – February 21, 1992) was an American businessman. He founded three successful [[retail chain]]s: [[Target Corporation#Target|Target Discount Stores]], [[Venture Stores]], and The Wholesale Club (which merged in 1991 with [[Sam's Club]]).<ref name=":0">{{cite web|title=John Francis Geisse (1920–1992)|url=http://www.geisse.org/JohnFrancisGeisse.html|website=Geisse.org|publisher=Geisse Family|access-date=February 10, 2017}}</ref>


==Early life and education==
Geisse was born in 1920 in [[Madison, Wisconsin]], grew up in [[Washington DC]] area and was the founder of [[Target Stores]] and a major [[retail]] pioneer.<ref>http://geisse.org/JohnFrancisGeisse.html</ref> After Pearl Harbor attack and an early graduation from the [[United States Naval Academy]] Geisse served in the [[United States Navy]] during [[World War II]]. He moved to Minneapolis after the war ended, having served as a [[Lieutenant Commander]].<ref>http://geisse.org/JohnFrancisGeisse.html</ref>
Geisse was born on September 1, 1920,<ref>{{cite journal|title=Geisse, John Harlin|journal=The American Catholic Who's Who|year=1961|volume=14|page=167|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=67MNAQAAIAAJ|access-date=February 10, 2017|last1=Curtis|first1=Georgina Pell|last2=Elder|first2=Benedict}}</ref> in [[Madison, Wisconsin]], the son of aeronautical inventor John Harlin and Esther (née Wattawa) Geisse.<ref name="Obit">{{cite news|title=John Geisse, 71, Dies; Helped Start Target, Wholesale Stores |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/30104501/john_geisse_19201992/ |newspaper=Star Tribune |date=February 23, 1992 |page=26 |via = [[Newspapers.com]] |access-date = March 31, 2019 }} {{Open access}}</ref> He grew up in the Washington, D.C., area<ref name="Obit"/> and attended [[St. John's College High School]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stjohnschs.org/page/alumni/call-to-remember|title=Call to Remember|access-date=September 14, 2018}}</ref> He was set to graduate from the [[United States Naval Academy]] with the class of 1942,<ref name=":0"/><ref>{{cite news|title=John H. Geisse, 96, Aeronautical Inventor|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/12/08/obituaries/john-h-geisse-96-aeronautical-inventor.html|access-date=February 10, 2017|work=The New York Times|date=December 8, 1988}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The Lucky Bag|date=1942|publisher=United States Naval Academy|location=Annapolis, Maryland|page=[https://archive.org/details/luckybag1942unse/page/95 95]|url=https://archive.org/details/luckybag1942unse|access-date=February 10, 2017}}</ref> until the [[attack on Pearl Harbor]] prompted an early graduation in December 1941.<ref name="Obit"/> During [[World War II]], he served in the [[U.S. Navy]] in both the [[Pacific War|Pacific]] and [[Battle of the Atlantic|Atlantic theaters]]. He left the service in 1947 as a [[Lieutenant commander (United States)|lieutenant commander]].<ref name="Obit"/><ref name=NYTObit/>


==Retail industry career==
He was inducted into ''Discount Store News'' Discount Hall of Fame in 1984<ref name="obituary">[http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3092/is_n6_v31/ai_12054329/pg_1 Article from Discount Store News detailing John Geisse's retailing career]{{dead link|date=February 2013}}</ref> for being the author of the ''Better Quality Upscale Discount Store Concept in America''.
⚫
After leaving the military, he moved to [[Minneapolis]], where he began his retail career working for [[Dayton's]].<ref name=":0"/><ref name="Obit"/><ref name=NYTObit/> In 1962, he and [[Douglas Dayton]] founded and launched the Target Stores for the Dayton Company,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Yardley|first1=William|title=Douglas J. Dayton, First President of Target, Dies at 88|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/10/business/douglas-j-dayton-first-president-of-target-dies-at-88.html|access-date=February 10, 2017|work=The New York Times|date=July 10, 2013}}</ref> now known as [[Target Corporation]]. In 1968, he left Target Stores and was subsequently hired by [[The May Department Stores Company|May Department Stores]], where he founded the [[Venture Stores|Venture]] chain.<ref name="Obit"/> In 1975, he "retired" from Mays and Venture, and became chairman of the struggling [[Ayr-Way]] Stores in Indianapolis. After he turned Ayr-Way Stores around, he became a long-time consultant to his friend [[Sam Walton]] and [[Wal-Mart Stores]] and to [[Ames Department Stores]] and others. In 1982, he founded his third chain, a [[warehouse club]] named The Wholesale Club,<ref name="Obit"/> that inspired [[Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.]] to create its [[Sam's Club]] division in 1983.<ref name=":0" /> In 1991, he sold The Wholesale Club store chain to Wal-Mart Stores and it was merged with Sam's Club.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Taylor|first1=Marianne|title=Wal-mart Acquiring Club Rival|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1990/11/07/wal-mart-acquiring-club-rival/|access-date=February 10, 2017|work=Chicago Tribune|date=November 7, 1990}}</ref>


==Honors==
⚫
During his retailing career, Geisse launched three successful [[retail chain]]s. In 1962, he founded and launched the chain Target Stores for the Dayton Company, now known as [[Target Corporation]]. In 1968, he left Target Stores and was subsequently hired by [[May Department Stores]], where he founded the [[Venture Stores|Venture]] chain. In 1975, he "retired" from May Co. and Venture. He then became chairman of [[Ayr-Way]] Stores, Indianapolis. After he turned around Ayr-Way Stores, he was a long time consultant to his friend [[Sam Walton]] and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. In 1982, he founded his third chain, a midwestern [[warehouse club]] called The Wholesale Club, Inc. of Indianapolis, that inspired [[Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.]] to create its [[SAM'S CLUB]] division in 1983<ref name="obituary"/>. In 1991, he sold The Wholesale Club chain to Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., and The Wholesale Club merged with Sam's Club.<ref name="rowley">Rowley, Laura (2003) ''On Target: How the World's Hottest Retailer Hit a Bull's-eye'' John Wiley & Sons; Hoboken, New Jersey. ISBN 0-471-25067-8.</ref>
He authored the ''Better Quality Upscale Discount Store Concept in America'', and was inducted into the ''Discount Store News'' Discount Hall of Fame in 1984.<ref name=":0"/> Sam Walton, who often consulted Geisse, called him "a pioneer in innovative retailing concepts".<ref name="NYTObit" />


==Personal life==
Geisse died in [[Indianapolis]] in 1992.<ref>http://geisse.org/JohnFrancisGeisse.html</ref>
Geisse was married to the former Mary Ann Wakeen. Together, they had 10 children.<ref name=":0"/><ref name=NYTObit/> Geisse died of a heart attack in [[Indianapolis]] in 1992.<ref name="Obit"/><ref name="NYTObit">{{cite news|title=J. F. Geisse, 71, Who Founded Discount Stores|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/02/27/us/j-f-geisse-71-who-founded-discount-stores.html|access-date=February 10, 2017|work=The New York Times|date=February 27, 1992}}</ref> He was buried near his parents in [[Crown Hill Cemetery]], Indianapolis.


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

{{Persondata
| NAME = Geisse, John Francis
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = American businessman
| DATE OF BIRTH = 1921
| PLACE OF BIRTH = Madison, Wisconsin
| DATE OF DEATH = February 21, 1992
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| PLACE OF DEATH = Indianapolis, Indiana
}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Geisse, John}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Geisse, John}}
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[[Category:American business writers]]
[[Category:American business writers]]
[[Category:American consultants]]
[[Category:American consultants]]
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[[Category:American consulting businesspeople]]
[[Category:American retail chief executives]]
[[Category:American retail chief executives]]
[[Category:Discount stores]]
[[Category:Target Corporation people]]
[[Category:1921 births]]
[[Category:1920 births]]
[[Category:People from Indianapolis, Indiana]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Indianapolis]]
[[Category:People from Madison, Wisconsin]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Madison, Wisconsin]]
[[Category:United States Naval Academy alumni]]
[[Category:United States Naval Academy alumni]]
[[Category:20th-century American non-fiction writers]]

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[[Category:20th-century American businesspeople]]
{{US-business-bio-stub}}
[[Category:Burials at Crown Hill Cemetery]]
[[Category:St. John's College High School alumni]]

Latest revision as of 04:36, 5 November 2024

John Geisse
Geisse c. 1980s-90s
Born
John Francis Geisse

(1920-09-01)September 1, 1920
Madison, Wisconsin, US
DiedFebruary 21, 1992(1992-02-21) (aged 71)
Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Resting placeCrown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Indiana
EducationSt. John's College HS
United States Naval Academy
OccupationBusinessman

John Francis Geisse (September 1, 1920 – February 21, 1992) was an American businessman. He founded three successful retail chains: Target Discount Stores, Venture Stores, and The Wholesale Club (which merged in 1991 with Sam's Club).[1]

Early life and education

[edit]

Geisse was born on September 1, 1920,[2] in Madison, Wisconsin, the son of aeronautical inventor John Harlin and Esther (née Wattawa) Geisse.[3] He grew up in the Washington, D.C., area[3] and attended St. John's College High School.[4] He was set to graduate from the United States Naval Academy with the class of 1942,[1][5][6] until the attack on Pearl Harbor prompted an early graduation in December 1941.[3] During World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy in both the Pacific and Atlantic theaters. He left the service in 1947 as a lieutenant commander.[3][7]

Retail industry career

[edit]

After leaving the military, he moved to Minneapolis, where he began his retail career working for Dayton's.[1][3][7] In 1962, he and Douglas Dayton founded and launched the Target Stores for the Dayton Company,[8] now known as Target Corporation. In 1968, he left Target Stores and was subsequently hired by May Department Stores, where he founded the Venture chain.[3] In 1975, he "retired" from Mays and Venture, and became chairman of the struggling Ayr-Way Stores in Indianapolis. After he turned Ayr-Way Stores around, he became a long-time consultant to his friend Sam Walton and Wal-Mart Stores and to Ames Department Stores and others. In 1982, he founded his third chain, a warehouse club named The Wholesale Club,[3] that inspired Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. to create its Sam's Club division in 1983.[1] In 1991, he sold The Wholesale Club store chain to Wal-Mart Stores and it was merged with Sam's Club.[9]

Honors

[edit]

He authored the Better Quality Upscale Discount Store Concept in America, and was inducted into the Discount Store News Discount Hall of Fame in 1984.[1] Sam Walton, who often consulted Geisse, called him "a pioneer in innovative retailing concepts".[7]

Personal life

[edit]

Geisse was married to the former Mary Ann Wakeen. Together, they had 10 children.[1][7] Geisse died of a heart attack in Indianapolis in 1992.[3][7] He was buried near his parents in Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f "John Francis Geisse (1920–1992)". Geisse.org. Geisse Family. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
  2. ^ Curtis, Georgina Pell; Elder, Benedict (1961). "Geisse, John Harlin". The American Catholic Who's Who. 14: 167. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "John Geisse, 71, Dies; Helped Start Target, Wholesale Stores". Star Tribune. February 23, 1992. p. 26. Retrieved March 31, 2019 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  4. ^ "Call to Remember". Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  5. ^ "John H. Geisse, 96, Aeronautical Inventor". The New York Times. December 8, 1988. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
  6. ^ The Lucky Bag. Annapolis, Maryland: United States Naval Academy. 1942. p. 95. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
  7. ^ a b c d e "J. F. Geisse, 71, Who Founded Discount Stores". The New York Times. February 27, 1992. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
  8. ^ Yardley, William (July 10, 2013). "Douglas J. Dayton, First President of Target, Dies at 88". The New York Times. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
  9. ^ Taylor, Marianne (November 7, 1990). "Wal-mart Acquiring Club Rival". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
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