The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-05-15
GEO. D. DAYTON .
TO SPEAK AT ""
PROMINENT MINNEAPOLIS DE-
PARTMENT STORE OWNER
WILL BE SPEAKER OF EVENING
At ANNUAL BANQUET OF FAR
GO Y. M. C. A.

George D. Dayton. the prominent
department store owner Of Minneapo-
lis, is to be the speaker at the annual
members dinner at the Fargo Y. M.
C. A. on the evening of May 10. Those
who know Mr.. Dayton's reputation
feel that the ~" is very fortunate to
secure such a man as the speaker Of
the evening.
In trying to secure some informa-
ton concerning Mr.. Dayton. a .promi-
nent citizen of Minneapolis writes the
following to Secretary Wolf concern
ing him:
HE will undoubtedly make you a
very good address. Mr.. Dayton is a
very prominent man in Minneapolis.
He came here a number of years ago
to look after some real estate invest
ments and erected a building for a
department store on u principal re-
tail street. He has in the last fifteen
years built up one Of the largest de-
partment stores in the city, building
several additions to his original store.
The whole structure now covers a full
half block and he has extensive plans
for engagements, which will within
a few years, mean tearing down his
original store altogether, and erect
ing a twelve or sixteen story build
ing in it's place. Associated with him
in the department store itself are his
two sons, both of whom are excep-
tional young business men,.
"Mr. Dayton has also been a very
successful real estate operator, and
now owns a lot of the most valuable
down town real estate in the city. He
is a very keen judge Of future de-
velopments. and his judgment is con-
stdered about the best in the city. He
has also taken a great interest in the
agricultural development of Mime
sofa, and owns several thousand acres
Of. farm land in different parts of the
state, which Is operated under his own
general supervision. He received a
good deal Of publicity last year be-
cause of his urging the farmers Of the
state to buy the cattle from tn drouth
stricken districts of the southwest and
fit them for market on Minnesota
a good many country banks volunteer
ed their assistance to farmers in this
connection.
Mr.. Dayton is a very active Presby-
terrain, and has been generous in his
: contributions to local churches, church
extension, and particularly foreign
missionary work. He and his whole
family live very modestly. Very lit
tie Of the large amount of wealth that
he, has accumulated so rapidly is
spent upon their personal qualification.
So far as I know the only automobile
in the whole family is a small electric
for Mrs. Dayton. None Of them cares
for high society but they are active in
enterprises that are for the public
welfare.
In their department store they have
done as much or more than any other
similar institution in the city in the
way OF welfare work for their en-
ployes. They employ a very capable
woman as welfare worker among the
girls, maintaining comfortable club
rooms, operate educational classes,
and N many ways show an interest in
their employees. I think these facts
may be OF some value to YOU"
The following is quoted from Mr..
Dayton's letter which clearly show the
spirit of u speaker:
Il fear you have entirely misiudsed
the calibre Of the writer. I am simp-
ly a business man. Occasionally ]
give very simple talks in a homeIy
manner. Perhaps I could talk to your
men twenty OF thirty minutes quietly
and f~raternally."
When asked for his photograph he
writes, I am very sorry to deny your
request, but really + cannot speak
about my life, nor have I ever given
out a cut for the newspapers. / think
you VIII understand me when / say
that l have not the slightest desire
for publicity or notoriety-I only ask
the privilege OF being useful"