Andrew Carnegie was born in Dunfirmline, Scotland on November 25, 1835. In 1847 the power loom became increasingly popular and since Andrew's father was a handloom weaver they were at risk of becoming poverty stricken. In search of an opportunity Andrew's family set off for the United States of America in 1848. Andrew was 13 at the time. After the family settled in Pittsburgh, PA, Andrew got a job as a bobbin boy in a textile factory. He earned $1.20 a week. A year later he got a new job as a messenger boy in a telegraph office. He earned $2.50 a week. During this job he began to memorize street names and the names of people he was taking messages to. He was then promoted to a telegraph operator at a wage of $20 a month. In 1853, at age 18, Andrew became Thomas Scott's personal assistant. Thomas Scott was the superintendent of the Pennsylvania Railroad's western division. At this job Carnegie was receiving $35 monthly for a wage. In 1856 Carnegie invests $217.50 in the Woodruff Sleeping Car Company. From this investment he receives $5,000 annually. In 1859, at age 24, Carnegie was promoted to superintendent of Pennsylvania Railroad's western division. He earned $1,500 a year as salary.
             In Maryland, Confederate mobs destroyed railroad lines. Carnegie helped Thomas Scott repair the railroad and telegraph lines. In 1861 Carnegie invested $11,000 into an oil company in Titusville, Pennsylvania. He then received $17,868 after only a year. By 1863 at age 28 Carnegie is making $42,000 a year. Half of his income comes from investment in oil. Only $2,400 comes from his salary. The rest of the money is from invests in the Piper & Schiffler Company, Adams Express Company and the Central Transportation Company.
             In 1864 at age 29 Carnegie was drafted into the Union Army. He believed he already showed his patriotism by supervising telegraph communications. He paid a man $850 to take his place and serve in the U
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