Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1843-07-22
LANCASTER CIV. T.) SATURDAY. JULY %, ls4s.


now nearly completed his eightieth
year, having been born in July, 1868.
He is a native Of the small German eil-
age Of Waldorf, near Heidelberg, on
the banks Of the Rhine. Mr.. Irving
in his Astoria, informs US that he was
bro't up in the simplicity of rural life;
but while yet mere STRIPPING, left his
home and launched himself amid the
busy scenes of London, having had,
from his hoyhood, singular PRESENT.
ment that he would ultimately arrive at
great fortune.
At the close of the american Revo-
luton, he was still in London, and
scarce ON the threshold of active life.
An elder brother had been for some
few years resident of the United
States, and Mr.. Asior determined to
follow him and to seek his fortune in
the rising country. Investing small
sum. which he had amassed since leav
ing his native village, in merchandise
suited to the American maket, he en-
barked in the month of November,
1888, in ship bound TO Baltimore,
ana arrived in the Hampton Road in
the month Of January. The winter
was exceedingly seryere; and the ship,
with many others, whas detained by the
ice in and about Chesapeake Bay for
nearly three months.
During this period, the passengers
OF the various ships used occasIonly to
go on shore and mingle socially TO-
gether. In this way Mr.. Aslor be-
came acquainted with countryman
of his, a currier by traid. Having
had previous impression that this
might be lucrative traid in the new
world, he made many iquiries of his
new acquaintance on the subject, who
cheerfuIly gave all the Information in
his power as TO the quality and value
of different fnrs, and the mode of carry
ing on the traffic. He subsequently, ac-
companied him to New York, and by
his advice. MIR. Astor was induced
10 invest the proceeds Of his merchan-
disc in furs. With these he sailed
from New York, to London in 1854,
disposed of them advaniageously, made
himself further acquainted with the
course Of trade, and returned the same
year to New York, with view TO set
tie in the United States.
He now devoted himself to the
branch ofcommerce with which he had
thus casually been made acquainted.
He begun his career, of course, on the
narrowcst scale; but he brought to the
task pcrsevering industry, rigid econ
omy, and strict integrity. To these
were added an inspiring spirit, that al
ways looked upwards; and genius, bold,
fertile and expansive; a sagacity quick
to grasp and convert every circum-
stance to his advantage, and singular
and never wavering confidence of sig
nal success.
The brother above mentioned, who
preceded Mr.. Aston in emigrating to
the United States, was the late Henry
Astor, who resided in the Bowery, and,
dying few years since, left his large
estate principally to his nephew, Mr..
William B. Aston. Mr.. Irving omits
10 state, what we understand was the
fact, that j.. j. Aston received early as
sistance 10 his enterprise from his bro
theirs capital and credit, so that he has
not always been independent of the
good Offices and friendship others in
bis road to fortune. II is due 10 him
to say that he has on many occasions
shown great degree oil liberaiity to
the unfortunate, and that he has been
the uniform advocate and friend Of a
general bankrupt law, which 10 a
great measure he has aided with his
name and influence.
After Lewis & Clarke had explored
the country West of the Rocky Noun
tains in 1904, Mr.. A stor conceived the
idea of grasping the fur trade of that
region. and took measures 10 carry his
enterprise into effect. This he carried
on with great skill and energy, until
the late war with Great Britain
brought il 10 termination. at is due
TO Mr. Astor." says Washington IT.
wing, to say that he was not aciuated
by mere motives of individual profit.
He was already wealthy beyond the
ordinary desires of man, but he now
aspired 10 that honorable fame which
is awarded 10 men OF similar scope of
mind, who by their great commercial