The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1912-04-10
WORKED ON FARM
NOW MILLIONAIRE

T., poor family Dy the name Ol
Rockefeller. The family was one OF
the poorest in the neighborhood and
people driving past the farm house
loked in pity OH the weather-beaten
structure and its inmates. The cot
tage was one of the most dilapidated
imaginable. The roof was filled with
holes and when the son of the fam
lily lay in his trundlebed beneath it
he looked through at the stars and
the moon. Certainly the name OF
Rockefeller carried wit it no sug.
gestion of wealth in those days, and
no person in the district supposed
that it ever would.
The son who has made the name
famous was born in July of that year
and they named him John Davidson.
The child was not a handsome one
by any means, and far from being
strong, yet he grew rapidly and seem
ed to thrive upon the scanty fare at
the farm house. He seemed to take
great interest in everything connect
ed with the farm, and, like most farm
ers' children, he soon learned to
take care of himself and was doubt
less toddling al lover the place be-
fore he was 2 years old. Little John
nie,' however, was not considered a
very bright child by the neighbors
and it never occurred to them that
he would amount to anything in the
world.
Worked Out on Farm.
The child grew very rapidly. He
was rather tall for his age and very
slender and his movements were
slow and delibeate. He learned to
dc the chores about the place, and
when old enough he was sent to the
district school, several miles away.
II. the summer he was sent out to
work on nearby farm, for the father
was able to attend to the tiny Rookie
teller place alone.
When the family moved to Cleve-
land, later on, the young son went
with them, and in the city he grew
into young manhood. 1t was here
also that he started on his rapid road
to fortune, so that Cleveland is usual.
ly known as the home of the richest
man in the world.
l called upon this one-time farmers
lad at his home in New York. the
ether day to get some details about
his boyhood days, for certainly the
beginning of such career as his,
however it may be viewed, are Of
great interest. One of his chief char
acteristics, however, is his dislike Of
publicity, and it is on rare occasions
that he talks of his early experiences.
and then only when he is persuaded
that the narrative will be helpful to
some one.
In New York Mr. Rockefeller lives
in an unpretentious house in Fifty
fourth street, which on the outside
has more the appearance of board
ing place than the residence of null
ti-millionaire. Within it is furnished
in quiet taste, and every apartment
has an air of comfort and homelike-
ness. Mr.. Rockefeller himself is as
quiet in appearance and as modest in
demeanor as is the house in its fur
nishings. He dresses always in black,
walks with slight stoop, and has
long, heavy hair. He speaks in low,
clear voice, and utters each word with
an accent which is not to be mistaken
in it's meaning. He speaks like one
who is used to having his words
obeyed.
Paid Is Cents Day.
Mr.. Rockefeller seems to have a
most vivid recollection of his boy
hood days. He remembers many in
cidents, not particularly striking,
which would have been forgotten by
most men; but to Mr.. Rockefeller
they are dear remembrances of days
gone by and he cherishes them with
care. "They are priceless posses
sions," he said to me, "and l would
take nothing as purchase price for
them. 1t is these which have made
me what l am My boyhood days
were training days."
SIS it true, then, that you worked
upon FARM" asked.
"Yes, it is true" was the reply. 81
worked for many months as farm
ers lad, and the work was good for
me. l would have continued work
ing at it had not removed to Cleve-
land"
He worked usually, as he informed
me, for 25 cents day, and from 5 to
4:30 in the morning until darkness
fell in the evening. He was grumbled
at by the farmers because he worked
slowly. 1t was his custom to spend
some time in laying out piece of
!, &c