John D. Larkin

John Durrant Larkin (September 29, 1845 - February 15, 1926) was an American business magnate who pioneered the mail-order business model, developed (with business partner and brother-in-law Elbert Hubbard ) the marketing strategy of offering premiums to customers, introduced revolutionary employment innovations, and commissioned Frank Lloyd Wright's first major public work, the Larkin Administration Building.

Early life Larkin was born in Buffalo, New York to Levi Henry Larkin and his wife Mary Ann Durrant. Levi emigrated from England to Buffalo in 1834; and Mary Ann from England to Ontario, Canada in 1831. John attended public schools in Buffalo during his childhood and began working at the age of 12 at Western Union as a telegraph messenger. In 1862, he began work in the soap manufactory of Justus F. Weller,

Larkin Soap Company In 1875, Larkin sold out his interest in J. Weller & Co. to Mr. Weller, and he and his wife moved to Buffalo. Larkin then set up his factory "J. D. Larkin, Manufacturer of Plain and Fancy Soaps." By 1902, Larkin needed a building to consolidate offices scattered throughout all of his factories. Martin, who had risen to Treasurer and Corporate Secretary, and William Heath, Larkin's brother-in-law and the head of the Legal Department, suggested Frank Lloyd Wright. Larkin consented and Frank Lloyd Wright received his first commercial commission, the Larkin Administration Building which was completed in 1904 and accommodated 1800 corresponding secretaries, clerks, and executives.

In 1914, the Larkin Company grew so rapidly that the floor space of its offices covered 64 acres. Completed in 1903, the company's plant was the largest fireproof pottery in the world; and it was also the only pottery in the world completely operated by electricity. In addition to the china produced for distribution as premiums, Buffalo Pottery manufactured many lines of china sold via both retail and wholesale channels and exported its ware to more than 25 countries. The pottery ultimately turned to the production of commercial chinaware. Changing its name to Buffalo China, Inc. in 1956, the company was one of the largest manufacturers of commercial chinaware in the United States. Buffalo China was sold to Oneida Limited in 1983, and ceased operations in 2004.

Title & Mortgage Guarantee Co. of Buffalo In 1916, Larkin organized the Title & Mortgage Guarantee Co. of Buffalo which provided title insurance, mortgages, title searches, and appraisals to the greater Buffalo area. The company was headquartered at 36 Church Street in Buffalo, New York. By January 1929, over $35 million of assets had been invested in the company's mortgage certificates.

Legacy Larkin died in 1926, one of Buffalo's most respected citizens, and is buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo. He was a benefactor of the University of Buffalo, where by 1926, he donated $250,000 .

While the Larkin Administration Building was demolished in 1950, a large portion of the original Larkin manufacturing complex survives today including the Larkin Terminal Warehouse which has been converted to corporate offices and houses the headquarters of First Niagara Bank, now home of Key Banks Buffalo division.

Larkin is the eponym of the Buffalo neighborhood known as Larkinville and its Larkin Square.