People in the Gilded Age

John D Rockefeller

1870

He built his first oil refinery near Cleveland and in 1870 incorporated the Standard Oil Company. By 1882 he had a near-monopoly of the oil business in the U.S., but his business practices led to the passing of antitrust laws.

Jp Morgan

1907

Jp Morgan used his influence to help stabilize American financial markets during several economic crises, including the panic of 1907.