Douglas Dayton

Douglas James Dayton (December 2, 1924 – July 5, 2013) was an American businessman and philanthropist who helped establish Target Corporation and served as the company's first president.

Dayton served in the Army during World War II, earning a Purple Heart. After the war, he joined the family business, Dayton's department store. He held various positions in the company, and urged the company to take advantage of the emerging discount store market. In 1960, he became the first president of Dayton's new discount subsidiary, Target. He oversaw the company's expansion until 1969 when he became a vice president of Target's parent company after a merger. Dayton left the business in 1972, forming a venture capital firm in 1974. He retired in 1994 but remained active in charity work until his death in 2013.

Douglas James Dayton was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on December 2, 1924. He was youngest of five brothers. His father, George N. Dayton, became the president of the family business, Dayton Dry Goods Company, in 1938. The business, which evolved into Dayton's department store, was founded by Douglas' grandfather, George D. Dayton.

Douglas Dayton graduated from the Blake School and then went to Amherst College. In 1943, he joined the Army. He served as a sergeant in an Army infantry division during World War II, earning a Purple Heart after being injured fighting in Europe.

Dayton joined the family business after the war, becoming one of six grandsons of George D. Dayton to work in the business. In 1948, he and his brothers took over the company from their father. In 1954, Dayton opened Dayton's first branch store and subsequently served as vice president of branch stores and merchandise vice president at different times. As a store manager, he saw the rise of discounter Kmart and urged the company to reposition itself to compete with the discount chain.

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