The Company’s Rise and Decline

Barkskins

This flow follows the business from timber-family enterprise to corporate power, fraud, sale, and the survival of a separate nursery.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Small Commercial Beginning

A Small Commercial Beginning Furs and Timber Charles Duquet turns from furs to forest products and establishes partnerships across continents. Family Firm His adopted sons develop the business into Duke & Sons, grounding its growth in timber and trade.

Expansion to Michigan Expansion to Michigan from "Barkskins". Expansion to Michigan Vast Pine Holdings James Duke buys surveyed land while the company rushes to establish mills, offices, and transportation.

Expansion to Michigan from "Barkskins". Expansion to Michigan Vast Pine Holdings James Duke buys surveyed land while the company rushes to establish mills, offices, and transportation.

Expansion to Michigan Vast Pine Holdings James Duke buys surveyed land while the company rushes to establish mills, offices, and transportation. A Rival Appears Armenius and Dieter Breitsprecher form RBB, challenging the company’s control of the newly discovered timberlands.

Chicago and Corporate Growth Chicago and Corporate Growth from "Barkskins". Chicago and Corporate Growth Lavinia Takes Command Lavinia moves the company to Chicago and expands into land, mills, transport, and new markets.

Chicago and Corporate Growth from "Barkskins". Chicago and Corporate Growth Lavinia Takes Command Lavinia moves the company to Chicago and expands into land, mills, transport, and new markets.

Chicago and Corporate Growth Lavinia Takes Command Lavinia moves the company to Chicago and expands into land, mills, transport, and new markets. Incorporation and Diversification The business adopts corporate structures, develops Prairie Homes, and invests in paper, plywood, and other wood products.

Flense’s Embezzlement Flense’s Embezzlement from "Barkskins". Flense’s Embezzlement Assets Disappear Clayton Jasper Flense and Annag Duncan flee with company funds and assets after years of access and trust.

Flense’s Embezzlement from "Barkskins". Flense’s Embezzlement Assets Disappear Clayton Jasper Flense and Annag Duncan flee with company funds and assets after years of access and trust.

Flense’s Embezzlement Assets Disappear Clayton Jasper Flense and Annag Duncan flee with company funds and assets after years of access and trust. Shrinking Operations The company loses strength, removes its corporate charter, and struggles to rebuild its finances and reputation.

A Company Sold A Company Sold from "Barkskins". A Company Sold New Ownership Breitsprecher-Duke sells to International Paper after questions about heirs, weakened finances, and changing industrial markets.

A Company Sold from "Barkskins". A Company Sold New Ownership Breitsprecher-Duke sells to International Paper after questions about heirs, weakened finances, and changing industrial markets.

A Company Sold New Ownership Breitsprecher-Duke sells to International Paper after questions about heirs, weakened finances, and changing industrial markets. An Independent Remainder Breitsprecher Seedlings survives as a separate enterprise, preserving a small portion of the family’s restoration work.

Early eighteenth century

After the exploratory journey into Michigan

After James Duke’s death

During the company’s later financial crisis

Near the end of the company’s history