Rockefeller, John D. (1839-1937)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1937 May 26 p. 1

Birth date: 1839

text of obituary:

JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER IS CALLED BY DEATH

John D. Rockefeller, one of the world's most outstanding capitalists, died early last Sunday morning at his winter home in Ormond Beach, Fla. Having amassed one of the greatest fortunes in history, Rockefeller became a powerful figure in the economic affairs of the country; in fact, to such an extent that the federal government at one time sought to decentralize his vast oil empire.

Mr. Rockefeller would have been 98 years old next July. Death came peacefully in spite of the fact that he had experienced much of the turbulent activities of nearly a whole century.

After oil money had built his huge financial structure, much of it was given to philanthropic purposes and to the maintenance of Chicago University, of which he was the chief supporter.

Born on a farm, Rockefeller began his career in business as a poor office boy, working for the small wage of $4.50 a week. At the time of his death he had transferred his millions of property to his son and grandchildren, retaining for himself only a "relatively small, very liquid estate".

At the age of 16 he began, with nothing. He was paid $50 for his first three-months work, as assistant bookkeeper in a produce commission warehouse on the lake front in Cleveland, O.

By the time he had reached middle age he had amassed what many persons believed to be the largest fortune ever controlled by a private individual in the history of the world.

Burial was made at Rockefeller's former home near Cleveland.