The Rockefeller family’s industrial and political accomplishments have helped shape America as we know it, and that’s great... but real life isn’t sunshine and rainbows. Here are some surprisingly dark Rockefeller family facts and Rockefeller family history that you probably didn't know: 5) A good place to start is William A. Rockefeller, the father of John D. and William Jr.: his sons who would go on to become titans of industry and amass tremendous wealth. William A, however, was a con artist who used to pretend to be deaf and mute while he was working as a traveling salesman… selling completely useless miracle pills. If pretending to be deaf and mute and selling fake medicine to people isn’t enough for you, he also had a mistress, fathered several illegitimate children, and even pretended to be a doctor named William Livingston. Seems like he could have come up with a better fake name. OR William A. Rockefeller, where the A stands for asshole. 4) Nobody wants to be eaten by cann