What He Did
John Davison Rockefeller, "industrialist and philanthropist, rose from his position as a bookkeeper for a Cleveland merchant and became one of the richest men in the U.S. through his hard work in developing the STANDARD OIL CO"(Encyclopedia of Cleveland History). (OHIO) Born on a farm near Richford, NY. Rockefeller was the son of William. A. and Eliza Davison Rockefeller. He came to the Cleveland area with his family in 1853, to STRONGSVILLE. Living in Cleveland, he went to CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL from 1853-55. After some classes at a business college, he became assistant bookkeeper for merchants Henry B. Tuttle and Isaac L. Hewitt in Sept. 1855. In Mar. 1859, Rockefeller and Maurice B. Clark established their own commission business, which prospered during the CIVIL WAR.In 1863, Rockefeller entered the oil business, and in 1865 left the business to work full-time in oil. He organized STANDARD OIL CO. (OHIO) as its largest stockholder in 1870, and lead the company until he retired in 1896, but keeping the title of president until 1911. By 1880, Rockefeller was worth about $18 million. He was also involved in other business ventures, holding stock in the Cleveland Arcade Co., and in 1905 building the ROCKEFELLER CENTER, Rockefeller's business required a lot more time in New York; he bought a home there in 1884 and eventually made that his legal residence. He still had 2 homes in Cleveland and until 1915 continued to stay at Forest Hill during the summer.
Rockefeller's charity, and business, began in Cleveland. In 1856 he donated $19.31 to local charities; his donations grew to $250,000 in 1887 and $1.35 million in 1892. Many charities in which he belonged to received donations, including Erie St. Baptist Church , the WESTERN RESERVE HISTORY SOCIETY, EARLY SETTLERS ASSN. OF THE WESTERN RESERVE, and the YMCA. Rockefeller also supported the Ragged School, BETHEL UNION. He donated more than $865,000 worth of land to the city for use as PARKS. Rockefeller established several organizations to handle his giving: the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research (1901), the General Education Board (1902), the Rockefeller Foundation (1913), and the Laura Spelman Rockefeller Memorial (1918).
Rockefeller married Laura , Celestia Spelman in 1864. They had four children: John D., Elizabeth, Edith, and Alta. Rockefeller died in Ormond Beach, Florida. He is buried in LAKE VIEW CEMETERY.
Rockefeller's charity, and business, began in Cleveland. In 1856 he donated $19.31 to local charities; his donations grew to $250,000 in 1887 and $1.35 million in 1892. Many charities in which he belonged to received donations, including Erie St. Baptist Church , the WESTERN RESERVE HISTORY SOCIETY, EARLY SETTLERS ASSN. OF THE WESTERN RESERVE, and the YMCA. Rockefeller also supported the Ragged School, BETHEL UNION. He donated more than $865,000 worth of land to the city for use as PARKS. Rockefeller established several organizations to handle his giving: the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research (1901), the General Education Board (1902), the Rockefeller Foundation (1913), and the Laura Spelman Rockefeller Memorial (1918).
Rockefeller married Laura , Celestia Spelman in 1864. They had four children: John D., Elizabeth, Edith, and Alta. Rockefeller died in Ormond Beach, Florida. He is buried in LAKE VIEW CEMETERY.