John Davison Rockefeller

1. Early life
John Davison Rockefeller was born July 8, 1839, in Richford, New York. At
the age of 16 he found his first job. He considered September 26, the day
he started the position and entered the business world, so significant that
as an adult he commemorated this job day with an annual celebration.
As a boy, Rockefeller had two great ambitions: to make $100,000 and to
live 100 years. He clearly surpassed the first life goal, and was just barely
shy of the second one.

2. Family
In 1864, Rockefeller married Laura Rockefeller . They had five children,
including a daughter, Alice, who died in infancy.

3. The Standard Oil Company

He borrowed a lot of money from local banks to finance the expansion of
the business. While the company grew he saved money. At the age of 23,
his economic habits allowed him to jump at the chance to enter the oil
business. By 31, Rockefeller incorporated the Standard Oil Company for
the sum of $1 million. Rockefeller, of course, was appointed head of the
organization. By the early 1880s, he dominated the oil business
throughout the country. His personal fortune shot up to nearly $1 billion.
The company helped him to become one of the world's richest men.

4. Charity
Late in life Rockefeller devoted himself to philanthropy. In total he gave
away more than $530 million to various causes. His money helped pay for
the creation of the University of Chicago as well as the Rockefeller
University in New York, as well as the Rockefeller Foundation. Both in his
lifetime and after death, Rockefeller used his money to help establish and
grow universities. His only son continued in his father's footsteps, also
giving away more than $530 million during his own lifetime.

5. Illness
In his 50s Rockefeller suffered from illness that causes the loss of some or
all body hair. By 1901 he did not have a hair on his body, and he began
wearing wigs. The hair never grew back. Rockefeller died less than two
months shy of his 98th birthday (May 23, 1937)

6. Interesting facts

He is considered the richest person in history, with an estimated

net worth when he was alive of $660 billion.
Rockefeller became well known in his later life for the practice of
giving dimes to adults and nickels to children wherever he went.
By the 1870s, Standard Oil held nearly 90% share in the oil
refining industry of the US.
Rockefeller abstained from alcohol and tobacco throughout his
life.
Rockefeller was an great philanthropist. Through his foundations,
he supported several colleges, universities and also sponsored
medical research.
Before he died, he gave away nearly half of his fortune to
churches, medical foundations, universities, and centers for arts.

He spent the last 40 years of his life in retirement.