Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-24
VIM. Rockefeller,
Oil Mdgndte, Dies



enre. kept night watch. but it was
obviously a losing fight.
John d. Rockefeller remained at his
HON" in Pocautico Hills, but was kept
constantly informed of his brothers.
condition. lie reached lockwood Hall
n few minutes after the end came. At
the death bed were Mr.. Rockefellcr's
two daughters and two sons. Mrs.
Rockefeller died about two years ago.
Not Active in Business
Mr.. Rockefeller. who was eighty one
years old. had not recently been active
In business. although he was active
head of the Standard Oil Company of
New York from it's establishment in
1860 until 1911. Although somewhat
ovcrshadowcd by his elder brother,
John u. Rockefeller. William was one
Of the richest men in America.
Almost the only time when his ac-
tivities claimed much newspaper space
was in 1912 and 1913. when the con-
grcssional committee investigating the
Money Trust Combed the country for
, him as witness. lie was finally To-
Gated at Nassau, Bahama Islands, and
returned to Florida. but when an
effort was made TO question him in
! his cottage there he was seized with
such SpHsms of coughing that the COM
mittee was warned by his physicians
:hat it might cause his death If the ex-
animation was continued. 1t then was
admitted that he was suffering from
cancer of the throat.
Although he retained many Of his di-
rcctorships. Mr.. Rockefeller of late
years shifted much of his business re-
sponsibility TO the shoulders Of his son,
Percy.
Wealth May Reach $3.50 .OOO. 900
Non" Of his Wall Street associates
has vcn'ur"d an estimate of his for
tune. but II was generally believed that
OOO. 900, concentrated in various Stan
dard Oh companies. Anaconda Copper.
Consolidated Gas. Brooklyn Union Gas,
st. PAM and National City Bank.
\ friend recently stated TINT Mr..
Rock"f"lcr'S death, when 1t came.
should hav" no appreciate effect on
the stock market, as none of his hold
ngs would be tossed on the open mar
kCt.
Announcement of his death was re.
reivcI in Wall Street nearly nm hour
before the market opened.
William Rockefeller was born in
Tioga County. New York. May 81.
1871. He was the second son Of William
Avery and Eliza Dawson Rockefeller.
He received his education AT the acal-
emy in Oswego and the public schools
in Cleveland. o. Beginning his bus-
ness career in 1888, modcStly. as II
bookkceper for 4. Quinn. n prominent
miller Of Cleveland, with whom he re-
manned for two years, Mr.. Rockefeller
then served in the same capacity the
forwarding and commission house of
Hughes & Lester. At tho end of the
second year, upon the retirement of Mr..
Lester, Mr.. Rockefeller became his sue
ccssOr in the firm under the name Of
Hughes & Lester. For several years
he carried on a successful produce COM
mission and gained thercfrom the means
to engage in the famous operations with
which he then became identified.
On the dissolution Of the firm in
1861. he formed a unrtnrrship with
his brother, John -, Rorkefclcr, and
Samuel Andrews, as William Rookie
feller 4 Co.. to cngag" in oil refining
and butt the Standard Oh Works. ut
Cleveland. His brother and Mr.. An.
drcws were already In the same bust
ness under the nam" Of Rorkcfrller &
-NIili'""' ''i'h' ''I'5 NII' l.aNflSlDI re-
fncry,
Begins business in y. Y.
In 1865. Mr.. RoCkefp!lrr came 70
New York and established tho firm nf
Rockef"llcr X Co., to sell and handle
in the markets Of thar city the oils Of
the two concerns in Cleveland. The
success ~ his operations bore eloquent
testimony TO his ability as u merchant.
In 1867. all three firms were dissolved
to be succeeded by Rockefeller, Andrews
& Flaslcr. Of Cleveland and New York
city. William Rockefeller taking charge
Of the business in New York. In 1870,
the frm Of Rockefcllcr. Andrews &
Flagler dissolved and organized the
Standard on Company of Ohio, with
John ID. Rockefeller as its president
and William Rockcfell"r. vicc president.
the latter in charge of the mercantile
and iinnnciai business In New York.
In 1882 the STANDARD Oil Trust was
formed, aud with it the Standard OH
Company Of New York. William Reckz I
h4B asxAx