Henry H. Rogers

Henry Huttleston Rogers (January 29 1840 – May 19 1909) was a United States capitalist, businessman, industrialist, financier, and philanthropist. He was one of the key men in John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil Trust.

Related Topics:
January 29 - 1840 - May 19 - 1909 - United States - Capitalist - Businessman - Industrialist - Financier - Philanthropist - John D. Rockefeller - Standard Oil

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In the spirit of Horatio Alger, "Hen" Rogers, a child of working-class parents, amassed a fortune such that he was listed in a 1996 study as one of the 25 all-time most wealthy individuals in United States history.

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His business final achievement, working with partner William N. Page, was the building of the Virginian Railway (VGN) from the coal fields of southern West Virginia to port near Norfolk at Sewell's Point, Virginia, in the harbor of Hampton Roads. For many years, it was labeled both an "engineering marvel" and "the richest little railroad in the world." (One of his Standard Oil associates, Henry Morrison Flagler, developed the Florida East Coast Railway.) Both railroads formed part of today's U.S. rail network.

Related Topics:
William N. Page - Virginian Railway - West Virginia - Norfolk - Sewell's Point - Virginia - Hampton Roads - Standard Oil - Henry Morrison Flagler - Florida East Coast Railway

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While considered by many to be ruthless in business matters, he also had a kinder and generous side with friends, neighbors, and family. His hometown of Fairhaven, Massachusetts, continues to enjoy his many infrastructure gifts. Rogers' late life friendships included such diverse persons as Mark Twain, Ida Tarbell, Helen Keller, and Booker T. Washington. It was later publicly revealed in Dr. Washington's papers that Rogers had funded many small country schools and larger institutions in the South for the betterment and education of African Americans over a period of 15 years. His substantial aid and encouragement of the then-innovative procedure of matching funds contributed to the beneficiaries' self-esteem as well as the financial aspect.

Related Topics:
Fairhaven, Massachusetts - Mark Twain - Ida Tarbell - Helen Keller - Booker T. Washington - African American - Matching funds

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