JP Morgan Sr
Born in Connecticut, he followed his wealthy father's path into the banking world in the late 1850s. In 1871, he founded a private banking partnership with Philadelphia banker Anthony Drexel that birthed the J.P. Morgan & Company. One of the most influential bankers of his time, J.P. Morgan is the primary financier of United States railroads and helped aid General Electric, U.S. Steel, and other major corporations.