William Rockefeller Issued to and Signed Wagner Palace Car Co. - 1889 dated Autograph Stock Certificate

Possibly Unique. William Rockefeller issued to and signed Wagner Palace Car Co. 1889 dated autograph stock certificate.

William Avery Rockefeller Jr., born on May 31, 1841, and passing away on June 24, 1922, was an American businessman and financier. He co-founded Standard Oil alongside his elder brother, John Davison Rockefeller. Additionally, he held a significant stake in Anaconda Copper, which became the fourth-largest company globally by the late 1920s. Rockefeller’s business journey commenced at the tender age of 16 when he started as a clerk. In 1867, he joined his brother’s company, Rockefeller, Andrews & Flagler, which later evolved into Standard Oil. However, the company faced legal challenges and was eventually dissolved by the Supreme Court in 1911. Rockefeller’s influence extended beyond Standard Oil. In 1899, he collaborated with Standard Oil’s principal, Henry H. Rogers, and Anaconda Company founder Marcus Daly to establish the Amalgamated Copper Mining Company, which later reverted to its original name, Anaconda Copper.

Rockefeller married Almira Geraldine Goodsell in 1864, and they had six children together. Tragically, he passed away in 1922, leaving behind a substantial estate of $102 million, though this figure was significantly reduced by debts and taxes. Despite his passing, Rockefeller’s legacy endured, as he was a prominent figure within the Rockefeller family, contributing to the family’s reputation as a prominent American business dynasty.