Washington telegraph., 1843-07-19
JOHN JACOB ASrOR

viii do when their aim is direc led iu siuule
object. or humble origin, without cduca-
ton, industry ''go-ahead iudusiry'-has
won him furlnne far superior 10 any indi-
vIdual IN our own country, aud exceeded by
few in any other.
John Jacob Astor is a native of ono Of
the German provinces "f the Rhine; his
age is nearly eighty. lie arrived in this
country soon after the revolutionary war, ia
a Hamburg trader, commanded hy Captain
Ciafk, a well known sl!pnas;cr Of The
time.
Ills first employment WIS IN a fBr aud
skin store, at low prices, Little could The
poor young German at thai day, have imlg-
med lIe would become The Ioidly posseSsur
OF whols blacks that he daily traversnd on
his slaSish rounds, or that Eor the single
package Of furs he carried he s.nrld Ls the
owner of more bales Of richer beaver than
il contained skins--ihai he should own more
bank stock than all The banks in the onnn-
try then couiaiacd-and that ships from cv-
cry quarter of The globe, laden with Tho
richest produce, should all Le bis property.
II was SD TO be.
MIR. Asior having acquired, by fruga.iiy
and economy. some litiie cap:Iui, became a
spcculator in skins in small way. purchased
little lot here and there-maiIcrs too TIL
vial for the large dcaler--lnd when he had
accumulated something oi lot, said then.
Tor cash TO the wholesale purchaser invaI-
iably realizing handsome p:oii;s.
Large streams from little fountains flow :"
the poet SAYS. and Mr.. As;nt is true Illus
tra,ion OF this line. His small beginning
soon Amounted 10 n large sun, aud he shpil-
ly took his proper rank among the princi-
ple tur merchants of The city. and WIS luok-
ed upon as sIrewd, enterPrzing and veal
thy. His payments were prompts: shuTi
credit was the mniio, and hc fulfilled aud
exacied i with all.
As Time rolled on, his capital became in
creased ru such an enourmons extent that
he found il necessary 10 make other invest
menis tn prevent il from being idle. 4 rur-
iion he Invested in city properly, then Ui
lntle value, but now worth millions; bat
the principal part he invested in Il new en-
ieIrrize, by establishing ,he american Far
Company, of which fnr mIny years he MAS
the chief owner. This cum,,any had its
agents aud hunters in the FAR west, amongst
the remote Indan tribes. scattered over
"ur then scarcely settled territories. who
traded with the abnrigiEes f'.r all The fur.
ani skins they took in season. These
ARTICLES were shipped Ia y. Y. fipm whence
ibeg were sent abroad. By :liis trade, the
company realized immense profits. Nj.
Asi"' also engaged extensively in the Chi
IA trade. msSing sometimes what would
- f.DU 10 t. .
single voyage.
just bofurc the war. he runcei.cd the
PROJECT of making settlement; un Tie nnTlh-
west coast. or what is now called the Ore
gol terrilnry. for the pu:pose oi making
general depot Tor the furs purchased ia that
region. and whence his ships. after cnm;,Ie-
iing their cargnes, could sail a rect fuf Chi-
ma. This settlement. called Astoria. prov
ed unsuccessful; the na.ives Capturing the
ship which he had fitted uui for i!,c purpose
aud numbering almost every soul on
board.
Mr.. Asinr's name hal new bpcosne f,r
mllar Throughout tho cummctcill wnrld.
IL was known and recognised ~ Europe.
india-in fact every where rhai commerce
exis'ed. lis credit was without bounds.
II would be mere reca piIula,iun to- men
lion The various enicTp-izcs ng Mr.. Asior.
They all relate to curl .nrrcr, aai all rr<nf.
ted ia filing HE hcapcd coiIi.rs. Some
fifteen years ago he went {" Europe, wis. ,,.
"ne of his daUahiers. , woman at great
p'ciy and WORTH, married. a German coln,.
She has sinre deceased. Nc. Asinr wns
absent igo or three years.
lie sold out his interest i'm tlir Gtr ro,p,,-
ny some years ago, aud has retired cniir,Is
rom commercial affairs. lis sou. Wm B
AsIor. has now the chief management in
the Investment of his vast properly on bond,
and moTigagcs--a business wh ch requires
the constant employment nf numerous a.
gents and clerks. Fig Green lialIcck j.
The confidential clerk of John Jacob. aud
we hope, as We believe, that the latter will
ru; forget him in his will.
Me-. As,o: has lways borne tie name Of
being close or hard with those who became
NJ more Ieniry Than The law al!uweI them
IL is said thai II the iDieSes; - nui always
promptly paid, he instantly fosccluscs
! mortgage, aud generally buys il.c propony
IN himself; often times, in this manner,
doubling The money advanced. Rich men
are not apt 10 be over charitable.
Ii is said by ihose who have the best op-
porinniiy of knowing. That he has left, IA
his will large sum for The purp ,se of cree
ting public library. We trust This is the
case. The splendid hotel known as the
Asiur House is now the property of his son
William. John Jacob has two sous. bvs dcs
leo NJ "A .