Before he became the world’s first billionaire and the mastermind behind Standard Oil, John D. Rockefeller was just a boy from a modest family in upstate New York. In this episode, we explore the formative years that shaped one of the most influential and controversial figures in American history. From his upbringing with a con-artist father and a devout, hardworking mother to his early fascination with business and frugality, we trace the origins of Rockefeller’s relentless drive. How did the son of a traveling snake oil salesman grow into the man who would dominate the oil industry and leave a lasting mark on the world? Join us as we uncover the story of John D. Rockefeller’s early life, where the seeds of ambition and power were first sown.