Raskob and Pierre S. du Pont
In June 1898, Raskob's father died after a brief illness. The family had some financial resources, but with Raskob, the eldest of four siblings, and his sisters and brother still in school, he chose to abandon his education in order to support his family. Raskob began the secretarial career which would eventually put him in the orbit of du Pont family heir Pierre S. du Pont.
At that time, Pierre was occupied with the liquidation of the Johnson Company in Lorain, Ohio. Raskob joined him there after working for Lockport lawyer John Pound, the Holly Manufacturing Company, and the industrialist Arthur Moxham. Pierre had become interested in the streetcar business, and had developed a business model that he was eager to put into action. After the completion of their work with the Johnson Company, Pierre and Raskob traveled widely in search of an attractive company to acquire.
Related Correspondence:
Pierre S. du Pont to John E. Pound -- job reference request for Raskob (January 1900)
John E. Pound to Pierre S. du Pont -- response to du Pont's reference request (January 1900)
Raskob to Tom E.S. -- description of Lorain, Ohio (March 1901)
Raskob to Frank Dole -- account of traveling with P.S. du Pont (May 1901)
Raskob to Mrs. Hazel Thomson -- Raskob's account of his father's death (July 1937)
Image: Pierre S. du Pont (left) and Raskob at Longwood, ca. 1950. View image in Hagley Digital Archives