John D. Rockefeller, a man who made himself known in the oil industry, was not only an oil tycoon and philanthropist, he was also America’s first billionaire. However, despite his vast wealth, Rockefeller grew up in simple beginnings. Born on July 8, 1839 in Tioga County, New York, John was the second of six children. His mother, Eliza, was extremely religious and taught him to place importance on God in his life and to give to charity while his father, William, worked as a “pitch man” and taught him about bookkeeping and accounting. Both teachings later proved beneficial as he slowly rose up the ranks from an assistant bookkeeper to the head of Standard Oil, a company he co-established with Samuel Andrews, William Rockefeller, and Henry Flagler
