Frank Rockefeller
Franklin Rockefeller | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Moravia, New York, U.S. |
| Died | April 15, 1917 (aged 71) Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
| Known for | Youngest sibling of John D. Rockefeller; vice president of Standard Oil; president of Buckeye Steel Castings Company |
Franklin "Frank" Rockefeller (August 8, 1845 – April 15, 1917) was an American entrepreneur and the youngest sibling of John D. Rockefeller.
Early life
Frank was born in Moravia, New York, the youngest son of William Avery "Bill" Rockefeller, who was both a businessman and an herbalist, and Eliza Davison Rockefeller. His childhood was spent in Richford, New York before relocating with his father to Cleveland, Ohio, which later became the center of his commercial endeavors.
Career
In 1861, Frank enlisted in the 7th Ohio Infantry and participated in significant Civil War engagements such as Gettysburg and Sherman's Atlanta campaign, where he sustained injuries.
Following the war, he became involved with his brothers' Standard Oil company, assuming the role of a key promoter and vice president. Nevertheless, disagreements concerning his shares in the Pioneer Oil Company and disputes with business associate James Corrigan prompted his exit from Standard Oil in 1898. Subsequently, he moved to an 8,000-acre ranch in Belvidere, Kansas. Although initially suitable for cattle ranching, the property's value declined due to railroad construction and increasing settlement.
Frank collaborated with Feargus B. Squire and Herman Frasch to invest in the Frasch Process, leading to the establishment of the Union Sulphur Company through a partnership with American Sulphur Company.
Despite early financial losses amounting to $500,000 in mining investments and $250,000 in commercial paper, Frank achieved stability by joining the Buckeye Steel Castings Company of Columbus in 1892. He held the presidency from 1905 until 1908 before serving as vice president under Samuel Prescott Bush.
A longstanding estrangement between Frank and his brothers John and William Jr. remained unresolved until his passing; attempts at reconciliation by William in 1916 were unsuccessful. Frank died in 1917; his funeral was attended by his brothers, with John noted as appearing "tired and careworn."
Personal life
In 1870, Frank married Helen Elizabeth Scofield, who came from a well-established Ohio business family. Together they had five children:
- Alice Maude Rockefeller (1871–1942)
- Anna Beatrice Rockefeller (1875–1965), who wed William Fowler Nash, vice president of Cleveland Provision Company; they had three offspring.
- William Scofield Rockefeller (1877–1878), who passed away during infancy.
- Helen Effie Rockefeller (1880–1960), married Walter Scott Bowler; they had one son.
- Myra Rockefeller (1884–1886), who died young.
Franklin Rockefeller passed away on April 17, 1917, in Cleveland, Ohio, at the age of 71.