The Rockefeller Family: The Story Behind Their Wealth and Power

His Father was a Known Con Man

John Rockefeller was born in Richford, New York, on July 8, 1839. His dad was known as a con man throughout the community and was referred to as “Devil Bill.” Bill wasn’t around much when it came to his family life. He spent a lot of time on the road, claiming he needed to for his job selling lumber and later marketing patent medicines.

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John D Rockefeller Sr. Photo by Everett Collection / Shutterstock

John was the second of six children that Bill had with his wife, Eliza. Bill also had two additional kids out of wedlock. He wasn’t the best father and was known to cheat his sons out of money, but he claimed it was to teach them business and the value of money.

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