Person Page - 537

     John Davison Rockefeller Jr. was born on 29 January 1874. He was the son of John Davison Rockefeller Sr. and Laura C. Spelman. John Davison Rockefeller Jr. married Abby Greene Aldrich, daughter of Senator Nelson Wilmarth Aldrich and Abby Pearce Chapman, on 9 October 1901. John Davison Rockefeller Jr. married Martha Baird on 15 August 1951. John Davison Rockefeller Jr. died on 11 May 1960 at age 86.

     Laurance Spelman Rockefeller was born on 26 May 1910 at New York City, NY. He was the son of John Davison Rockefeller Jr. and Abby Greene Aldrich. Laurance Spelman Rockefeller married Mary French on 15 August 1934 at Congregational Church, Woodstock, Windsor Co., VT. Laurance Spelman Rockefeller died on 11 July 2004 at NY at age 94; pulmonary fibrosis.

NEW YORK -Associated Press-

Rockefeller . . . was perhaps best known for his environmental work: He served under five presidents in several capacities related to conservation and the outdoors.

He founded the American Conservation Association in 1958 and was head of Jackson Hole Preserve Inc., a conservation organization that played a major role in protecting parts of the Grand Tetons in Wyoming and redwood trees in California.

Rockefeller helped develop national parks in Wyoming, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Vermont, and chaired the White House Conference on Natural Beauty.

Rockefeller also was a pivotal developer of the economics field that became known as venture capital.

Investor from Eastern Airlines to Apple

In 1938 he helped finance World War I pilot Eddie Rickenbacker’s Eastern Airlines, and he later invested in McDonnell Aircraft Corp., Intel Corp. and Apple Computer Inc. He sought to fund ventures that would strengthen national security, welfare or the economy.

“As his younger brother, I always admired Laurance for his extraordinary business skills and often followed his lead by joining him in the field of venture capital, where he was a true pioneer,” said David Rockefeller, the last remaining child of John D. Rockefeller Jr.

Laurance Spelman Rockefeller was born May 26, 1910, in New York, and was the fourth of six children of Rockefeller Jr. and Abby Aldrich Rockefeller. He graduated from Princeton University in 1932 and studied law at Harvard for two years. In 1934, he married Mary French.

He served in the Navy during World War II and became a lieutenant commander.

Rockefeller served on the board of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and became the first recipient of the American Cancer Society’s Alfred P. Sloan Memorial Award for his contributions to cancer research.

Rockefeller is survived by four children, eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. His wife died in 1997.

     Abby Greene Aldrich was born on 26 October 1874 at Providence, Providence Co., RI. She was the daughter of Senator Nelson Wilmarth Aldrich and Abby Pearce Chapman. Abby Greene Aldrich married John Davison Rockefeller Jr., son of John Davison Rockefeller Sr. and Laura C. Spelman, on 9 October 1901. Abby Greene Aldrich died on 5 April 1948 at New York City, NY, at age 73.

     Mary French married Laurance Spelman Rockefeller, son of John Davison Rockefeller Jr. and Abby Greene Aldrich, on 15 August 1934 at Congregational Church, Woodstock, Windsor Co., VT. Mary French died in 1997.

     Winthrop Rockefeller was born on 1 May 1912 at New York City, NY. He was the son of John Davison Rockefeller Jr. and Abby Greene Aldrich. Winthrop Rockefeller married Barbara Sears on 14 February 1948. Winthrop Rockefeller and Barbara Sears were divorced in 1954. Winthrop Rockefeller died on 22 February 1973 at Palm Springs, Riverside Co., CA, at age 60; cancer.

Winthrop Rockefeller was born in New York City, New York to John D. Rockefeller, Jr. and Abby Greene Aldrich. He was the grandson of John Davison Rockefeller, Sr. who founded the Standard Oil Company. His brother, Nelson Rockefeller served as Governor of New York and Vice President of the United States. Winthrop and Nelson Rockefeller were the first brothers to serve simultaneously as governors of U.S. states.

Winthrop attended Yale University from 1931 to 1934.

He enlisted into the U.S. 77th Infantry Division in early 1941 and fought in World War II, advancing from Private to Colonel and earning a Bronze Star with clusters and Purple Heart for his actions aboard the troopship USS Henrico after a kamikaze attack during the Battle of Okinawa. He appears in the Infantry Officer Hall of Fame at Fort Benning, Georgia.

Rockefeller married Barbara "Bobo" Sears in 1948 and established a self-admitted reputation as a playboy: unlike the rest of the Rockefeller clan, who were noted for their abstemiousness, Winthrop was a hard drinker. He was divorced from Barbara in 1951.

Rockefeller moved to central Arkansas in 1953 and established Winrock Enterprises and Winrock Farms atop Petit Jean Mountain near Morrilton, Arkansas.

In 1955 Governor Orval Faubus appointed him as chairman of the Arkansas Industrial Development Commission (AIDC). In 1956 he married Jeanette Idris.

Rockefeller fell in love with Arkansas and commenced an assortment of philanthropies and projects for the benefit of the people of the state. He financed the building of a model school at Morrilton, Arkansas, led efforts to establish a Fine Arts Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, financed the construction of medical clinics in some of the state's poorest counties, in addition to making annual gifts to the state's colleges and universities. These philanthropic activities continue to this day through the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation.

Rockefeller resigned his position with the AIDC and conducted his first campaign for governor in 1964. His campaign was ultimately unsuccessful against the powerful Faubus, but Rockefeller had energized and reformed the tiny Republican Party and had set the stage for the future.

When Rockefeller made his second run in 1966 only 11% of Arkansans considered themselves Republicans. But the people of Arkansas had grown tired of Orval Faubus after six terms as Governor and as head of the Democratic "machine." Democrats themselves seemed to be more interested in the reforms that Rockefeller offered in his campaign than "winning another one for the party." An odd coalition of Republicans and Democratic reform voters catapulted Rockefeller into the Governor's office.

The Rockefeller administration enthusiastically embarked on a series of reforms but faced a hostile Democratic legislature. Rockefeller endured a number of personal attacks and a concerted whispering campaign regarding his personal life.

Rockefeller had a particular interest in the reform of the Arkansas prison system. Soon after his election he had received a shocking State Police report on the brutal conditions within the prison system. He decried the "lack of righteous indignation" about the situation and created the new Department of Corrections which made huge strides in making the Arkansas prison system into a more professionally-run institution.

Rockefeller also focused on the State's lackluster educational system, providing funding for new buildings and increases in teacher salaries when the legislature allowed.

At the 1968 Republican National Convention, Winthrop Rockefeller received backing from members of the Arkansas delegation as a "favorite son" presidential candidate. As his brother Nelson was the concluding a major presidential bid, they became the first, and to date the only, brothers ever to receive votes for President at the same major-party convention.

Rockefeller won re-election in November 1968 and proposed tax increases to pay for additional reforms. Rockefeller and the legislature dueled with competing public-relations campaigns and Rockefeller's plan ultimately collapsed in the face of public indifference. Much of Rockefeller's second term was spent fighting with the recalcitrant legislature.

During this term Rockefeller quietly and successfully completed the integration of Arkansas schools that had been such a political bombshell only a few years before. He established the Council on Human Relations despite opposition from the legislature. Draft boards in the state boasted the highest level of racial integration of any state in the Union by the time Rockefeller left office. When he entered office not one African-American had served on a Draft Board in the state.

In the campaign of 1970 Rockefeller expected to face Orval Faubus, who led the old-guard Democrats, but a young Turk named Dale Bumpers rose to the top of the Democratic heap by promising reform from the Democratic side of the aisle. The youth of Bumpers and the excitement of a new type of Democrat was too much for an incumbent Republican to overcome. Rockefeller had lost the 1970 election but had forced the Democrats to reform their own party.

As a shocking last act, Governor Rockefeller commuted the sentences of every prisoner on Arkansas' Death Row and urged the Governors of other states to do likewise.

In September 1972 Rockefeller was diagnosed with inoperable cancer of the pancreas and he endured a devastating round of chemotherapy. When he returned to Arkansas the populace was shocked at the gaunt and haggard appearance of what had been a giant of a man.

Winthrop Rockefeller died February 22, 1973 in Palm Springs, California, at the age of 60.

The legacy of Winthrop Rockefeller lives on in the form of numerous charities, scholarships, and the activities of the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation. The foundation provides funding for projects across Arkansas to encourage economic development, education, and racial and social justice.

Rockefeller's political legacy lives on in both the Republican and Democratic parties of Arkansas, both of which were forced to reform due to his presence in Arkansas politics.

Rockefeller was the subject of the 2 December 1966 cover of Time magazine. He's also the "Rockefeller" mentioned in Billy Joel's history themed song "We Didn't Start the Fire".

Winthrop Rockefeller's son Winthrop Paul "Win" Rockefeller served as the Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas. Like his father, Win Rockefeller's political career has been cut short by a devastating cancer.

     Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller was born on 8 July 1908 at Bar Harbor, Hancock Co., ME. He was the son of John Davison Rockefeller Jr. and Abby Greene Aldrich. Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller died on 26 January 1979 at New York City, NY, at age 70. He was buried at Pocantico Hills Estate, Sleepy Hollow, NY; cremated, ashes interred.

     David Rockefeller was born on 12 June 1915 at New York City, NY. He was the son of John Davison Rockefeller Jr. and Abby Greene Aldrich. David Rockefeller married Margaret McGrath on 7 September 1940. David Rockefeller died on 20 March 2017 at Westchester Co., NY, at age 101.

     John Davison Rockefeller Sr. was born on 8 July 1839 at Richford, Tioga Co., NY. He was the son of William Avery Rockefeller and Eliza Davison. John Davison Rockefeller Sr. married Laura C. Spelman on 8 September 1864 at Cleveland, Cuyahoga Co., OH. John Davison Rockefeller Sr. died on 23 May 1937 at The Casements, Ormond Beach, FL, at age 97. He was buried at Lakeview Cemetery, Cleveland, Cuyahoga Co., OH.

Complete genealogical and biographical information on the Rockefeller family is at http://archive.rockefeller.edu.

     Laura C. Spelman was born in 1839. She married John Davison Rockefeller Sr., son of William Avery Rockefeller and Eliza Davison, on 8 September 1864 at Cleveland, Cuyahoga Co., OH. Laura C. Spelman died in 1915.

     Edith Rockefeller was born in 1872. She was the daughter of John Davison Rockefeller Sr. and Laura C. Spelman. Edith Rockefeller died in 1932.

     Alta Rockefeller was born in 1871. She was the daughter of John Davison Rockefeller Sr. and Laura C. Spelman. Alta Rockefeller died in 1962.

     Alice Rockefeller was born in 1869. She was the daughter of John Davison Rockefeller Sr. and Laura C. Spelman. Alice Rockefeller died in 1870.

     Bessie Rockefeller was born in 1866. She was the daughter of John Davison Rockefeller Sr. and Laura C. Spelman. Bessie Rockefeller died in 1906.

     Martha Baird was born on 15 March 1895 at Madera, Madera Co., CA. She married John Davison Rockefeller Jr., son of John Davison Rockefeller Sr. and Laura C. Spelman, on 15 August 1951. Martha Baird died on 24 January 1971 at age 75.

     Abby Rockefeller was born on 9 November 1903. She was the daughter of John Davison Rockefeller Jr. and Abby Greene Aldrich. Abby Rockefeller died in 1976.

     Margaret McGrath was born in 1915. She married David Rockefeller, son of John Davison Rockefeller Jr. and Abby Greene Aldrich, on 7 September 1940. Margaret McGrath died in 1996.

     Barbara Sears married Winthrop Rockefeller, son of John Davison Rockefeller Jr. and Abby Greene Aldrich, on 14 February 1948. Barbara Sears and Winthrop Rockefeller were divorced in 1954.

     Winthrop Paul Rockefeller was born on 17 September 1948 at NY. He was the son of Winthrop Rockefeller and Barbara Sears. Winthrop Paul Rockefeller died on 16 July 2006 at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Pulaski Co., AR, at age 57.

Win attended Pembroke College, Oxford University and graduated from Texas Christian University.

He served from 1981 to 1995 on the Arkansas State Police Commission. In 1991, he was appointed by President George H. W. Bush to serve on the President’s Council on Rural America and was elected chairman. Rockefeller serves as chief executive of Winrock Farms, Inc. and has interests in various small businesses around the state in the areas of retailing, automobiles, farming and the resort industry. He is an active member of the National Federation of Independent Business.

Rockefeller is the immediate past president of the Quapaw Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America and currently serves on the Boy Scouts National Board of Directors.

Rockefeller is well known for representing the more liberal wing of the Republican Party in Arkansas. In the past, he has drawn a great deal of criticism from conservatives for his support of Planned Parenthood and legal abortion. Religious political activists have criticized a fundraiser he held in his home in support of the organization.

He was elected Lt. Governor in a 1996 special election triggered by the resignation of Governor Jim Guy Tucker and the promotion of then-Lt. Governor Mike Huckabee. Rockefeller was subsequently re-elected in 1998 to a full four-year term, receiving 67 percent of the vote. In 1997, he created Books in the Attic, a program using existing resources and volunteers to ensure access to reading opportunities for all children. He was elected once again in 2002 with 60 percent of the vote.

Rockefeller had announced his candidacy for governor and was expected to face the more conservative Asa Hutchinson in the Republican primary election in May 2006. On July 20, 2005, however, he bowed out of the race, citing a blood disorder that could develop into leukemia if untreated. Rockefeller underwent unsuccessful bone marrow transplants in October 2005 and March 2006. He succumed to the disease on July 16, 2006 in Little Rock.

     Nell Johnson was born on 3 December 1892. She was the daughter of James McNeill Johnson and Annie Betsy Cockman. Nell Johnson married Frank Mizell. Nell Johnson died on 26 April 1967 at age 74.

     Frank Mizell was born on 27 February 1881. He married Nell Johnson, daughter of James McNeill Johnson and Annie Betsy Cockman. Frank Mizell died on 27 November 1956 at age 75.

     Edgar Alphonse Doody Jr. was born on 26 April 1912 at AL.¹ He was the son of Edgar Alphonse Doody and Annie Josephine McCafferty.¹ Edgar Alphonse Doody Jr. died on 1 August 1945 at Corozal, Panama, at age 33. He was buried at Corozal American Cemetery and Memorial, Corozal, Distrito de Panama, Panama.²

     Elizabeth Williams married Henry Holcombe, son of James Holcombe and Olive Noble, on 25 December 1855 at Lee Co., IL.

     Benjamin Van Buren married Jane Wheeler.

     Jane Wheeler married Benjamin Van Buren.

     Bowman Noble was born circa 1861 at IL.¹ He was the son of Charles Noble and Eliza Ann Holcombe.¹

Bowman was enumerated in the 1920 Amboy, Lee Co., IL, federal census. He was widowed, age 56.

     Hiram Noble was born circa 1864 at IL.¹ He was the son of Charles Noble and Eliza Ann Holcombe.¹

     Russell Holcombe was born circa 1861 at IL. He was the son of James Harvey Holcombe III and Amanda M.

     Clinton Holcombe was born circa 1872 at IL.¹ He was the son of James Harvey Holcombe III and Amanda M.¹

     Harriet Holcombe was born in 1858 at IL.¹ She was the daughter of James Harvey Holcombe III and Amanda M.¹

     James A. Noble was born circa 1854 at IL.¹ He was the son of Charles Noble and Eliza Ann Holcombe.¹ James A. Noble married Frances A. Snodgrass, daughter of Louisa Snodgrass, on 20 January 1875.¹ James A. Noble filed for divorce from Frances A. Snodgrass on 30 January 1880 at Dickinson Co., KS. James A. Noble and Frances A. Snodgrass were divorced on 25 March 1880. James A. Noble married Luella (?) in March 1881.¹ James A. Noble died before March 1896.²

James and son Wilbur were enumerated in the 1880 Holland, Dickinson Co. KS, federal census. James is divorced. Wilbur is also enumerated in Holland in the household of Chas. H. Wellman as nephew.


Luella was enumerated in the 1900 South Dixon Twp., Lee Co., IL, federal census with new husband William Copeland. Also enumerated in the household are Ethel Noble 18, Elmer 15, and Stanley 10.

     Wilbur A. Noble was born on 8 August 1875 at Abilene, Dickinson Co, KS. He was the son of James A. Noble and Frances A. Snodgrass. Wilbur A. Noble married Minnie Arina Schoff on 20 August 1895 at Bureau Co., IL.¹ Wilbur A. Noble died on 30 November 1933 at Spring Valley, Bureau Co., IL, at age 58.¹ He was buried at Walnut Cemetery, Walnut, Bureau Co., IL.

Wilbur and Minnie were enumerated in the 1920 Walnut, Bureau Co., IL, federal census. He was a farmer age 44, she was 52. Children in the household were Fred 23, Roy 18, and Missy 16.

     Minnie Arina Schoff married Wilbur A. Noble, son of James A. Noble and Frances A. Snodgrass, on 20 August 1895 at Bureau Co., IL.¹

     Fred Noble was born circa 1896 at IL.¹ He was the son of Wilbur A. Noble and Minnie Arina Schoff.¹

     Roy Noble was born circa 1901 at OK.¹ He was the son of Wilbur A. Noble and Minnie Arina Schoff.¹

     Missy Noble was born circa 1903 at OK.¹ She was the daughter of Wilbur A. Noble and Minnie Arina Schoff.¹

     Luella (?) was born in March 1861 at IL.^1,2 She married James A. Noble, son of Charles Noble and Eliza Ann Holcombe, in March 1881.¹ Luella (?) married Willaim Copeland.²

     Elmer Noble was born on 10 November 1884 at KS.^1,2 He was the son of James A. Noble and Luella (?)¹ Elmer Noble married Georgia E. (?)³ Elmer Noble died in November 1964 at TX.²

Elmer and Georgia were enumerated in the 1920 Stratton, Texas Co., OK, federal census. He was a farmer, age 35; she was 30. Children in the household were Ira B. 13, Wayne A. 11, and Alice M. 9.


Elmer was enumerated in the 1930 Dictrict 1, Precinct 1, Hutchinson Co., TX, federal census. He was a field laborer, age 46. Children in the household were Ira B. 22, Wayne A. 21, and Mary 17.

     Stanley Noble was born on 24 October 1889 at IL.^1,2 He was the son of James A. Noble and Luella (?)¹ Stanley Noble married Della (?)³ Stanley Noble died in March 1966 at Dixon, Lee Co., IL, at age 76.²

Stanley and Della were enumerated in the 1920 Stratton, Texas Co., OK, federal census. He was a farmer age 30, she was 25. Children in the household were Gerald 6, Ethel 5, and Helen 3 yeas 6 months.

     Ethel Noble was born in January 1882 at IL.¹ She was the daughter of James A. Noble and Luella (?)¹ Ethel Noble died in January 1945.

     Willaim Copeland was born in August 1839 at IL.¹ He married Luella (?)¹

     Della (?) was born circa 1894 at IL.¹ She married Stanley Noble, son of James A. Noble and Luella (?).¹

     Gerald Noble was born on 9 June 1913 at IL.^1,2 He was the son of Stanley Noble and Della (?)¹ Gerald Noble died in April 1978 at Dixon, Lee Co., IL, at age 64.²

     Georgia E. (?) was born circa 1889 at IL.¹ She married Elmer Noble, son of James A. Noble and Luella (?).¹

     Perry Noble was born in 1898.¹ He was the son of Wilbur A. Noble and Minnie Arina Schoff.¹