Robber Barons

By Kodi Cumbo

  • Andrew Carnegie born in Scotland

  • Gustavus F. Swift- Birth

  • John D. Rockefeller was born

  • Carnegie comes to America. Immigrates to Pennsylvania.

  • John D. Rockefeller- Attends Owego Academy

  • Carnegie is hired by Thomas A. Scott as a secretary/telegraph operator with the Pennsylvania Railroad. Begins to learn about business.

  • Gustavus F. Swift- First Butcher Shop

    Swift opens his own butcher shop in Barnstable, Mass.

  • Rockefeller and Clark built and oil refinery in Cleveland.

  • Carnegie formed his first business, the Keystone Bridge Works company.

  • Rockefeller bought out the Clark brothers for $72,500, and established the Rockefeller and Andrews.

  • Rockefeller founded Standard Oil.

  • Hathaway & Swift

    Gustavus F. Swift forms a business partnership with James A. Hathaway.

  • Carnegie forms his first steel works, called The Union Ironworks, in Pittsburgh.

  • Hathaway& Swift moves to Chicago

  • Swift and Bros. Company

    Gustavus F. Swift forms company with brother Edwin C. Swift.

  • Swift builds refrigerated railroad cars

    Gustavus F. Swift hires engineer Andrew S. Chase to develop a new style of refrigerated cars for the transportation of dressed beef.

  • Carnegie is able to produce 2.000 tons of steel per day.

  • Gustavus S. Swift builds plant in Union Stock Yard

    This plant is the largest meat-packing plant in the country.

  • Swift and Company is incorporated

  • Carnegie published The Gospel of Wealth

  • John D. Rockefeller

  • Carnegie buys out most of his competitors and formed the Carnegie Steel Company.

  • "Big Five" of meat-packing form

    At this point, Swift and Co. has joined with other meat-packing giants in order to dominate the industry and informally decide price, wages, and other concerns.

  • Carnegie Steel Company is bought out by J.P. Morgan, who forms the United States Steel Corporation.

  • Carnegie dies.

  • Rockefeller dies.