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Rockefeller was born in Richford NY. -
John D. Rockefeller moves with his family to Cleveland, Ohio. He was roughly 14 at the time. -
Rockefeller finally lands a good job, that of an assistant bookkeeper for a local business. If you don't know, a bookkeeper is someone who keeps track of the finances and records of a business. -
Rockefeller, after doing very well at his bookkeeping job, starts his first business. It was a commissions business, and at the end of the first year had grosses 450,000 dollars. -
Like the title says, Rockefeller opened his first refinery in 1863. It was near Pittsburgh. -
Two years after opening, Rockefeller's refinery was the largest in the entire area of Cleveland. -
Rockefeller and his associates incorporate Standard Oil, instantly making the company much stronger in the industry. This rapid growth came with buyouts. -
The New York State Legislature directed Hepburn to investigate the railroads. Why? Well, they had been giving rebates and "discounts" to their biggest partners. This was unfair to small businesses. -
In 1882, Rockefeller and Standard Oil made was this era of business is known for, the trust. Essentially, a large group of businesses that all worked under the Standard Oil umbrella were now organized by a board of trustees. These people directed business, but since they were still separate "small" businesses, they managed to work around taxes and laws trying to stop large businesses. -
Standard Oil of Ohio, the first company of Standard Oil, moved its headquarters to New York City. The board of trustees also established Standard Oil Co. of New Jersey.(now Esso) -
In 1890, Congress passes the Sherman Anti-Trust Act. This was a huge threat to Rockefeller and his goofy shenanigans. Luckily for Rockefeller, the Anti-Trust Act was really hard to apply effectively, so they still had time. -
Ida Tarbell releases a long set of articles discussing Standard Oil and it’s practices. Specifically focusing on Rockefeller as well. Ida was a notable figure among the early 20th century muckrakers. -
New Jersey changes its incorporation laws, making the formation of a trust under a holding company possible. Rockefeller and his son take advantage. -
Rockefeller steps down as president. Also, in the same year, the Supreme Court finally caught the Standard Oil Company definitively going against the Sherman Anti-Trust Act. The Supreme Court demanded it be broken up into 34 companies. -
Rockefeller dies at the age of 97. He, after retiring, devoted himself to philanthropy, and tried to right his image in the public. However, many saw through this. He was someone who is unforgettable, since he pretty much reached a status of infinite money.