Rockefeller Timeline

By DylanMiller348

  • Birth

    Birth
    Rockefeller was born in Richford NY.

  • Cleveland

    Cleveland
    John D. Rockefeller moves with his family to Cleveland, Ohio. He was roughly 14 at the time.

  • Bookkeeper

    Bookkeeper
    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.

  • Preamble

    Preamble
    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.

  • First Refinery

    First Refinery
    Like the title says, Rockefeller opened his first refinery in 1863. It was near Pittsburgh.

  • Area Domination

    Area Domination
    Two years after opening, Rockefeller's refinery was the largest in the entire area of Cleveland.

  • It Begins

    It Begins
    Rockefeller and his associates incorporate Standard Oil, instantly making the company much stronger in the industry. This rapid growth came with buyouts.

  • Investigation

    Investigation
    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.

  • The Trust

    The Trust
    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.

  • Headquarters Move

    Headquarters Move
    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)

  • It Is Here

    It Is Here
    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

    Ida Tarbell
    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.

  • Holding Company

    Holding Company
    New Jersey changes its incorporation laws, making the formation of a trust under a holding company possible. Rockefeller and his son take advantage.

  • The End

    The End
    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.

  • Actually The End

    Actually The End
    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.