But small businesses and farmers were often forced to pay higher rates than big shippers like Standard Oil. Many argued that as 'common carriers' railroads should not discriminate in their shipping charges. The railroads carried crude oil to Standard's refineries in Cleveland and kerosene to the big city markets. To give Standard Oil an edge over its competitors, Rockefeller secretly arranged for discounted shipping rates from railroads. The partners incorporated (under a charter issued by the state of Ohio) and called their business the Standard Oil Company. In 1863, he and his partner invested in another business that refined crude oil from Pennsylvania into kerosene for illuminating lamps.Д«y 1870, Rockefeller and new partners were operating two oil refineries in Cleveland, then the major oil refining center of the country. The company made much money during the war. Shortly before the Civil War, Rockefeller and a partner established a shipping company in Cleveland, Ohio. The unlikely match between 'Devil Bill' and Eliza Rockefeller produced a son who would paradoxically become the most hated and admired man in America. But he spent his retirement years giving away most of his money. This made him the richest man in the world. Rockefeller built an oil monopoly by ruthlessly eliminating most of his competitors. John lived in an age when owners of industries operated without much interference from government.

What is a monopoly