Random Reminiscences
Excerpt from Random Reminiscences of Men and Events
By John D. Rockefeller
Published in 1909
John D. Rockefeller (1839-1937) was the founder and driving force behind the Standard Oil Company, one of the largest corporations of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The company's spectacular rise to domination of the oil industry in a few short decades was largely the result of Rockefeller's foresight and vision, his hard work, his demand for efficiency, and his mission to cut out competition by whatever means was available. It was Rockefeller's goal to control every aspect of the oil business, from taking it out of the earth to shipping it, refining it, selling it, and even delivering it to its end users. During Rockefeller's years as the company's president, Standard Oil was often criticized by the public for being a monopoly, which meant that the corporation had almost exclusive control of the nation's oil refining business, making it nearly impossible for other businesses to compete in the industry.
Standard Oil developed a bad reputation early in its rise. The press frequently printed stories about the underhanded tactics used by the company to squash its rivals and force small business owners to sell or give way to its Although he later became one of the nation's richest men, Rockefeller was born into a modest home in Richford, New York, in 1839.
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