The Richest Man In History: Rockefeller is Born
The Richest Man In History: Rockefeller is Born
Over a forty-year career that was mired in controversy, Rockefeller made a name for himself in America’s budding oil industry. He built Standard Oil into the largest company in the world and eventually also became the richest man in the world. Adjusting for inflation, some experts suggest that Rockefeller was the richest human being ever to have lived.
Born November 13, 1810 in Richford, New York, John Davison Rockefeller was the second of six children to parents William and Eliza. William was a traveling salesman in the business of selling such suspect things as cancer cures. While he was away, it was left to Eliza to take care of the home. The family moved around, first to Moravia and later, Owego, where Rockefeller attended Owego Academy.
In 1853, the family moved to Strongsville, Ohio, where Rockefeller went to Central High School. At 19, he became a deacon at the Euclid Avenue Baptist Church and a trustee at 21. In 1855, Rockefeller dropped out of high school to take a business course at Folsom Mercantile College. A six-month course, Rockefeller had completed it in just three.
After searching for six weeks, Rockefeller found his first job as an apprentice bookkeeper at Hewitt & Tuttle, a commission merchant and produce shipping company. He started off earning 50 cents per day, a salary that would gradually increase over the next two years due to his increasing responsibilities and improving performance. In 1859, Rockefeller felt that he was no longer making the amount of money he deserved and so he left Hewitt & Tuttle. With a partner, Maurice Clark, Rockefeller decided to create his own produce commission company.
That year, Cleveland-based Clark & Rockefeller was launched and it became an instant success. It wasn’t long before their new company had accumulated enough capital to be able to invest in other businesses. Along with chemist Samuel Andrews, Clark & Rockefeller invested in an oil refinery. Rockefeller was confident in the bright future of the oil business and over the next five years delved wholeheartedly into making his company a success.
So confident was Rockefeller in the oil business that in 1865, he decided to sell his share of Clark & Rockefeller to his partner. Far from giving up, Rockefeller wanted to branch out on his own. He used the proceeds from the sale of his shares to invest in another refinery, which soon became Rockefeller & Andrews. Two years later, they bought out the refinery that had been started by Rockefeller’s brother, William. They also joined with Henry Flagler in creating Rockefeller, Andrews & Flagler.
By 1868, this new partnership had become the largest petroleum refiner in the world. Recognizing their potential, the Rockefeller brothers, Andrews, Flagler and another silent partner began absorbing their competition. Together, in 1870, the five businessmen launched Standard Oil. With Rockefeller as its new president, the company would soon find itself at the forefront of a booming industry, achieving unprecedented success.
The Richest Man In History Rockefeller is Born
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When John D. Rockefeller was a young boy, he said that his two greatest ambitions were to make $100,000 and to live to be 100 years old. He died on May 23, 1937, just 26 months shy of his 100th birthday and with a net worth of $1.4 billion.
Over a forty-year career that was mired in controversy, Rockefeller made a name for himself in America’s budding oil industry. He built Standard Oil into the largest company in the world and eventually also became the richest man in the world. Adjusting for inflation, some experts suggest that Rockefeller was the richest human being ever to have lived.
Born November 13, 1810 in Richford, New York, John Davison Rockefeller was the second of six children to parents William and Eliza. William was a traveling salesman in the business of selling such suspect things as cancer cures. While he was away, it was left to Eliza to take care of the home. The family moved around, first to Moravia and later, Owego, where Rockefeller attended Owego Academy.
In 1853, the family moved to Strongsville, Ohio, where Rockefeller went to Central High School. At 19, he became a deacon at the Euclid Avenue Baptist Church and a trustee at 21. In 1855, Rockefeller dropped out of high school to take a business course at Folsom Mercantile College. A six-month course, Rockefeller had completed it in just three.
After searching for six weeks, Rockefeller found his first job as an apprentice bookkeeper at Hewitt & Tuttle, a commission merchant and produce shipping company. He started off earning 50 cents per day, a salary that would gradually increase over the next two years due to his increasing responsibilities and improving performance. In 1859, Rockefeller felt that he was no longer making the amount of money he deserved and so he left Hewitt & Tuttle. With a partner, Maurice Clark, Rockefeller decided to create his own produce commission company.
That year, Cleveland-based Clark & Rockefeller was launched and it became an instant success. It wasn’t long before their new company had accumulated enough capital to be able to invest in other businesses. Along with chemist Samuel Andrews, Clark & Rockefeller invested in an oil refinery. Rockefeller was confident in the bright future of the oil business and over the next five years delved wholeheartedly into making his company a success.
So confident was Rockefeller in the oil business that in 1865, he decided to sell his share of Clark & Rockefeller to his partner. Far from giving up, Rockefeller wanted to branch out on his own. He used the proceeds from the sale of his shares to invest in another refinery, which soon became Rockefeller & Andrews. Two years later, they bought out the refinery that had been started by Rockefeller’s brother, William. They also joined with Henry Flagler in creating Rockefeller, Andrews & Flagler.
By 1868, this new partnership had become the largest petroleum refiner in the world. Recognizing their potential, the Rockefeller brothers, Andrews, Flagler and another silent partner began absorbing their competition. Together, in 1870, the five businessmen launched Standard Oil. With Rockefeller as its new president, the company would soon find itself at the forefront of a booming industry, achieving unprecedented success.
The Richest Man In History Rockefeller is Born
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When John D. Rockefeller was a young boy, he said that his two greatest ambitions were to make $100,000 and to live to be 100 years old. He died on May 23, 1937, just 26 months shy of his 100th birthday and with a n... |
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“The road to happiness lies in two simple principles,” said Rockefeller. “Find what interests you and that you can do well, and put your whole soul into it – every bit of energy and ambition and natural ability you ... |
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“God gave me my money,” said Rockefeller. “I believe the power to make money is a gift from God to be developed and used to the best of our ability for the good of mankind.” |
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When Rockefeller was 86 years old, he wrote the following:
I was early taught to work as well as play,
My life has been one long, happy holiday;
Full of work and full of play-
I dropped the worry on the way- ... |
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“If you want to succeed you should strike out on new paths, rather than travel the worn paths of accepted success,” said Rockefeller. |
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Jay Kubassek(Jay's Full Bio: EvanCarmichael.com/jaykubassek) Jay Kubassek is a Canadian born entrepreneur, internet marketing genius, professional speaker, international real estate developer/investor, executive film producer, extreme sport enthusiast and a passionate supporter of several charities worldwide. In 2007, Jay's vision and dedication to help other entrepreneurs and business owners duplicate his marketing success led to the creation of his fourth company CarbonCopyPRO, an internet marketing firm already worth over 15 million dollars that has over 20 employees and contract workers with clients is 12 different countries. Jay resides in NYC with his girlfriend Jamie, three year old son Milo and dog Cooper. As executive producer he recently premiered his first film in the 2008 Cannes Film Festival. As an adventurist he is racing the 2008 Baja 1000 off-road race and is a member of the 2008 U.S. National Elephant Polo Team, The New York Blue who will be representing the US in the 2008 World Championships in Nepal. Visit Jay's Blog: www.JayKubassek.com - Visit Jay Kubassek's Website |
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When John D. Rockefeller was a young boy, he said that his two greatest ambitions were to make $100,000 and to live to be 100 years old. He died on May 23, 1937, just 26 months shy of his 100th birthday and with a n...











