Founder Profile
John A. Kimberly
Last reviewed: October 2026 · By Swet Parvadiya
Who is John A. Kimberly?
John A. Kimberly is a founder of Kimberly-Clark Corporation, which was founded in 1872 with Frank C. Shattuck, Havilah Babcock and Charles B. Clark.
- Company founded
- Kimberly-Clark Corporation
- Founded
- 1872
- Co-founders
- Frank C. Shattuck, Havilah Babcock and Charles B. Clark
Background
American industrialist and prominent civic leader in Wisconsin.
Founding Story
John A. Kimberly (1838-1928) co-founded Kimberly, Clark and Co. in 1872. Recognizing the massive timber resources of the Fox River Valley, he provided the initial $30,000 in capital alongside three partners to build a paper mill. As the company's first President, he drove the massive expansion into newsprint and eventually sanitary paper products.
Education: Lawrence University.
John Alfred Kimberly was born on July 18, 1838 and died on January 21, 1928. John A. Kimberly was born in 1838.