When Rockefeller was 16 years old in 1855, he acquired his first job as an assistant bookkeeper, working for a small produce commission company, Hewitt & Tuttle. He used to work for long hours, but was quite delighted. He was especially very skilled at calculating transportation costs. His three months salary was $50. From the very starting, he donated approximately 6% of his earnings to charity, which, with time, increased to 10%. Rockefeller opted to establish commission business with a partner Maurice B. Clark in 1859. They enhanced $4,000 in capital. Rockefeller stepped ahead slowly in business making good money annually. After wholesale foodstuffs, the partners constructed an oil refinery in 1863 in "The Flats." Andrews, Clark & Company was the direct owner of the refinery. The company comprised of Clark & Rockefeller, chemist Samuel Andrews, and M. B. Clark's two brothers. The commercial oil business was new and less popular. “Whale Oil” became quite expensive for the common man and therefore a demand for a cheaper general-purpose lighting fuel increased highly. In February 1865, he purchased out the Clark brothers at an auction for $72,500 and established a company of Rockefeller & Andrews. Rockefeller was completely clear to grasp the advantage of post-war prosperity and the large growth westwards which was promoted by the great expansion of railroads and an oil-fueled economy. He acquired heavily, invested profits, quickly settled down with the changing markets and appointed observers to track the fast growing industry.
"I have ways of making money that you know nothing of."
- John D. Rockefeller
- John D. Rockefeller