John Davison Rockefeller

John Davison Rockefeller is born in Richford, upstate New York, to William Avery Rockefeller, a travelling peddler of novelties and 'cures,' and Eliza Davison Rockefeller, a devout Baptist.

John D. Rockefeller was born on July 8, 1839, in Richford, New York. He moved with his family to various places before establishing his first business in 1859. He attended schools in New York and Ohio before entering the oil business.

In 1853, John D. Rockefeller's family moved to Ohio, where he would later establish himself as a prominent figure in the oil industry and philanthropy.

On January 4, 1860, Rockefeller ventured into the oil business, marking the beginning of his influential career in the oil industry.

John D. Rockefeller founded the Standard Oil Company in 1863, which later dominated the oil industry in the United States through aggressive business practices and acquisitions.

John D. Rockefeller marries Laura Celestia Spelman in a small, private ceremony after a nine-year courtship.

At the age of 25, John D. Rockefeller buys out his partners and establishes Rockefeller & Andrews, which becomes Cleveland's largest refinery.

In 1866, John D. Rockefeller's brother, William Rockefeller Jr., built another refinery in Cleveland and brought John into the partnership. This collaboration laid the foundation for their future success in the oil industry.

In 1867, Henry Morrison Flagler joined John D. Rockefeller and Samuel Andrews as a partner, forming Rockefeller, Andrews & Flagler. This partnership played a crucial role in the growth and expansion of their oil business.

On January 10, 1870, John D. Rockefeller abolished the partnership of Rockefeller, Andrews & Flagler, forming Standard Oil of Ohio. Rockefeller quickly expanded the company to be the most profitable refiner in Ohio and one of the largest shippers of oil and kerosene in the country.

Rockefeller's new business venture, Standard Oil, is gaining momentum and becoming a dominant force in the oil industry in the United States. He establishes the first monopoly in America by acquiring his competitors and controlling the oil business.

In 1877, at the age of 38, John D. Rockefeller, who was still not widely known to the public, managed to dominate almost 90 percent of the oil refining industry in the United States.

Rockefeller establishes the Standard Oil trust, creating a centralized structure with significant power despite its questionable legal status.

In 1881, the Standard Oil Trust was created by John D. Rockefeller, consolidating control over various oil companies across the United States under one entity.

By 1882, Standard Oil had achieved a near monopoly on the oil business in the United States, after acquiring pipelines, terminal facilities, and competing refineries.

The Rockefellers relocate to New York and construct a mansion at 4 West 54th Street.

Standard Oil establishes its new headquarters at 26 Broadway in New York, a location that symbolizes Rockefeller's business dominance.

At the age of 13, John D. Rockefeller Jr. experiences a nervous breakdown attributed to overwork, leading him to recuperate at the family's rural estate.

John Rockefeller established the University of Chicago in 1890 as part of his philanthropic endeavors.

On June 27, 1891, John D. Rockefeller is reported to have become the wealthiest man in America, with a fortune of about $150,000,000 and an income of $25,000 per day.

In 1892, Standard Oil implemented a new business practice called a trust, where property was held by one party for the benefit of another. This move allowed Rockefeller to consolidate his wealth and control over various corporations, leading to the formation of the world's largest industrial organization.

In August 1896, an article documents John D. Rockefeller's life and his journey from poverty to amassing millions of dollars, showcasing his remarkable rise to wealth.

John D. Rockefeller ventured into the Mesabi iron ore production in Minnesota, making a deal with Andrew Carnegie to handle transportation on the Great Lakes. This move expanded Rockefeller's business interests beyond the oil industry.

In April 1902, John D. Rockefeller demonstrates his commitment to education by donating $250,000 to Barnard College, emphasizing his philanthropic efforts.

By May 1903, John D. Rockefeller is poised to become a billionaire, with substantial profits flowing in from his oil ventures, solidifying his financial success.

On July 1, 1905, John D. Rockefeller announced a significant donation of ten million dollars towards higher education in the United States.

Starting in 1906, John D. Rockefeller, Sr. embarks on the construction of the Kykuit Mansion at his Pocantico estate, a project that will span eight years and undergo numerous changes before completion.

The U.S. government files multiple lawsuits against Standard Oil, claiming that the company's size is significantly larger than its competitors.

In 1909, John D. Rockefeller combined his interests in the U.S. south and public health to establish the Rockefeller Sanitary Commission for the Eradication of Hookworm Disease. The commission aimed to fund initiatives to cure and prevent hookworm disease, particularly prevalent in southern states, through public education and medication campaigns.

In 1911, the Supreme Court found Standard Oil Company of New Jersey guilty of violating the Sherman Antitrust Act, ordering the breakup of the company into 34 new entities, significantly impacting Rockefeller's control over the oil industry.

By 1912, Standard Oil had amassed a substantial fortune of around $900,000,000 under the leadership of John D. Rockefeller, solidifying its dominance in the oil industry.

On April 6, 1914, during anti-Rockefeller demonstrations staged by writer and activist Upton Sinclair, a bomb exploded, possibly aimed at John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Several members of the Industrial Workers of the World union, known as 'Wobblies,' were killed in the incident.

At least 24 miners, including two women and 11 children, are killed during a 14-hour confrontation between miners and the National Guard. John D. Rockefeller, Jr., denies any responsibility.

On January 25, 1915, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. appeared before the U.S. Commission on Industrial Relations, where he adjusted his stance on labor unions and expressed a commitment to enhance conditions at Ludlow, reflecting a shift in his approach towards labor relations.

The foundation built and endowed the world's first school of hygiene and public health at The Johns Hopkins University. This institution played a crucial role in advancing modern public health services.

After six years of construction, Riverside Church, underwritten with $26 million of John D. Rockefeller, Jr.'s, money, opens in New York City.

Construction of the 14-building Rockefeller Center complex begins during the Great Depression, providing employment for 75,000 workers over the next eight years.

In 1932, John D. Rockefeller discovered that a substance derived from oil, known as gasoline, could be utilized as a fuel for cars, particularly those being developed by Henry Ford.

On May 23, 1937, John D. Rockefeller passed away. He was a prominent figure in the oil industry and known for his significant contributions to the development of the petroleum industry.

The Rockefellers initially offer a tract of land on their Pocantico estate to the United Nations for its headquarters. When this plan does not materialize, Nelson convinces John D. Rockefeller, Jr. to purchase land on New York City's East River and donate it to the United Nations.

Miners are pursuing legal action against John D. Rockefeller for the deaths of over 40 strikers during recent coal strikes.