Ralph Leroy Nafziger

Ralph Nafziger started selling bread on a route serviced by a horse and converted milk wagon. He would hire a worker to take over the route, build another one, and then repeat the process.^[3]

Nafziger set up a second bakery in the basement of a burned out Christian church at 6th and Prospect Avenue in the Kansas City's Northeast Neighborhood.^[3] After initial success, Nafziger's Baking expanded and, in 1925, he merged his 10 baking plants with Purity Bakers. Nafziger’s architectural training allowed him to design some of his own plants.^[2] In 1927, Nafziger bought a controlling interest in Schulze Baking.^[2]

In 1930, Nafziger announced a merger between his Schulze Baking company and seven baking companies on the west coast of the United States. The new company was called the Interstate Bakeries Corporation. Baked goods were sold under the Hostess brand. In 1937, Nafziger started a snack cake brand in Georgia called Dolly Madison, The name was inspired by first lady Dolley Madison known for elegant parties. The brand's slogan was "Cakes and pastries fine enough to serve at the White House".^[4]

Nafziger was married to Nathalie Schaefer, and was later divorced. His second marriage to Vee M. Bear lasted from April 9, 1949 until June 17, 1958.^[5] He had two children: Ralph Leroy Nafziger, Jr. and Nathalie Nafziger.^[3] Nafziger died on September 17, 1965, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 77.^[6] The Interstate Bakeries Corporation continued growing; in 1995, it acquired Continental Baking Company (owners of the Wonder Bread and Hostess product lines) and in 2009 became Hostess Brands.