John Plankinton

Biography

John Plankinton (1820–1891) was a Milwaukee businessman whose energy and vision helped shape the commerce of the emerging Midwest. A founder of the Plankinton Packing Company, he cultivated a reputation for honest dealings and a commitment to the growth of the city he adopted as home, even as he supported cultural and educational ventures.

He is remembered by family and community alike as a steady hand during moments of rapid change, a civic-minded leader who took pride in the success of those around him. Visitors to Forest Home Cemetery encounter his story as part of Milwaukee’s rich heritage and the legacy of an entrepreneur who believed in giving back to his neighbors.