Jay Cooke was an ambitious man, achieving many honorable successes throughout his life. His work as a banker was important to him, as was his relationship with his family. He embraced both work and family, with strong devotion, and with a light-hearted spirit that set him apart and made him unique among his circle of acquaintances. A native of Sandusky, Ohio, born on August 10, 1821, Cooke prided himself with being "probably the first, or nearly first boy baby born in Sandusky".

Philadelpia eventually became his home, and the banking house of Jay Cooke and Company was formed in that city in 1861. With political changes occurring in Washington due to the onset of the Civil War, Jay Cooke was fully aware of the potential business opportunities awaiting his newly formed banking company. Of his many achievements, his work during the Civil War as financier for the Union was probably his most noted. His work and efforts in the sale of bonds, provided the Union Army with a generous amount of funding.

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