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Andrew Carnegie is born in Dunfermline, Scotalnd. He was born to a poor family, and is the first of two children in the family.
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At a young age, Carnegie attended school for only two years. Although his parents valued learning and knowledge, they were too poor to send Andrew to school.
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The Carnegie family decides to immigrate to America. They want better life for themselves and their children. They end up settling in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania.
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At the age of 12, Andrew Carnegie gets his first job. He worked as a bobbin boy in textile factory. Although his father worked, the family needed as much money as possible.
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At age 15, Carnegie gets job as a telegraph operator. He quickly becomes a master at sending and recieving messages.
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17 year-old Andrew Carnegie starts working for the Pennsylvania Railroad. He started as a telegraph operator and messanger for better wages and more experience.
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Now superintendant of the railroad, Andrew is appointed by President Lincoln to secure railroads and telegraph lines from the south at the start of the Civil War. Andrew successfully secured many of the important northern railroads from the south.
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Since Carnegie wanted to increase his wealth, he began investing in many companies. He made huge pfotis from these investments, so he decided to start his own company.
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Since his investments were huge successes, Carengie decided to open an iron plant. He made iron for buildings, railroads, and many other common items.
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After discovering the powers of steel on a trip to Britain, Carnegie wanted to pen his own steel plant in Pittsburgh. Although steel was harder and more expensive to produce, steel is stronger, lasts longer than iron, and is sold for more money.
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After a few years in the steel industry, Carnegie hires Henry Clay Frick to help run business with him. Also, Carnegie hired many scientists to make production cheaper and more efficient.
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While Carnegie was on a vacation, Henry Frick took over the company. He was a ruthless man, and gave his workers at the Homestead plant terrible working hours, wages, and working conditions. The workers went on strike until Carnegie returned a few months later. Henry Frick was fired after the situation.
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To increase production, Carnegie purchased oil and coal fields all over the country. Carnegie also made a fleet of boats to transport his products.
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After many successful years in business, Carnegie wanted to retire. He sold his company to banker J.P. Morgan for $480 million dollars. Selling his company made Carnegie the richest man in the world.
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After company as sold, Carnegie wanted to give back to the community. He decided to donate his fortune to the people of America.
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Since Carnegie was retired, he had time to enjoy his life. Carnegie like to entertain, meet new people, and travel. He was also friends with Theodore Roosevelt and Mark Twain.
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At the age of 83, Carnegie dies. Before his death, he gave away over 90% of his total fortune. He made great innovations to industry and business. He is truly a man who helped build America to what it is today.
