Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1843-04-15
MISC Ell l. A n T. q u >
JOHN JACOB AST0R.


This individual is a living example Of what in
dustry perseverance, and determination will do
when their aim is directed towards single object.
OF humble origin, without education, industry,
$50 ahead industIy'-has won him a for tune far
superior 10 that of any individual IN our own
country, and exceeded by few in any other.
John Jacob Astor is a native Of one Of the
German provinces on the Rhine; his age is near
" SO. He arrived in this country soon after the
revolutionary war, in a Hamburg trader, comman
ded By Capt. Clark, well known sbip-masier Of
the time.
His first employment was in iur or SKIN
store al low prices Little could the poor young
German at ;ha, day, have i'm gined he would be
come the lordIy possessor Of the whole blocks
that he daily irasersed on his savish rounds OF
that for the single package Of furs he carried he
should BIS tho owner Of more bales of rich beaver
than il contained skins-iha, he should own more
bank stock than all me banks 10 the country then
con,ained-and that ships from every q"arter O
the globe, laden with the richest products should
oil be his property. 1t was so to be.
Mr.. As,or having acquired, by hugaity and
economy, some little capital, became a specua-
tor in skins in u small way, purchasing a little lo
here and ,bere--mat,ers too trivial for the large
dealer-and when he had accumulated something
Of a LOT, sold them for cash to the wholesale pur
chaser, invariably realizing handsome profits.
.Largo streams from little fountains fow.''
the poet says and Mr. Astor is a true illustration
Of the line. His small beginning soon amounted
to a large sum, and he shortly took his proper
fnnk among the principal fur merchants of the CT
", and soon looked upon shTewd, cutter
prising and Wealthy. Ills pay ments were prompt
short credit his motto, and he fulfilled and ex
acted il with all.
As ,imo rolled on /, his capita! became increas
ed to such an enormous extent that he found 4
necessary to make other investments to prevent
il from being Idle. a portion he invested IN city
property, then of little value, but now worth mil
lions; but the principal part he Invested in a
enterprise, by establishing the American Fur
Company, Of which for many years he was the
chief owner. This company had its agents and
hunters in the far wet, amongst the remote Ind
an tribes, scattered our then sparseiy settled
territories, VINO traded with the aborignies foI
oil the furs and skins they took in season.
These articles were shipped to New York, from
whence they were sent abroad. BY this trade
the company realized immense profits. MIR. As
tor also engaged extensively in the China trade
making sometimes what would be considered by
most people fortune at a single voyage
JUS, before the war, he conceived the projec
Of making a settlement on the northwest coast
tho purpose Of making general depot for the furf
purchased in that region, and whence his ships
efter completing cargoes, could sail direct for Chi
ma. This settlement, called Astoria, proved un
successful; the natives capturing the ship which
no had fitted on, for the purpose, and numbering
almost every soul on board.
Mr.. Asior's name had now become familiar
throughout the CONNIE rcial world. II was known
and recognized in Europe, India--in fact, every
whore that commerce existed. His credit was
without bounds.
II would be mere ecnpituiation TO mention the
various enterprises Of MIR. Astor. They all re
late TO commerce, and all resulted in filling his
already he ped.up Golfers. Some fifteen years
ago he went to Europe, where one Of his daugh-
tiers, a woman of great piety and worth married
a German count. She has since deceased. Mr.
Asior absent two three years
He sold out his interest in the fur company
some years ago, and has retired entirely from
commercial affairs. His son, WIN. B. Astor, has
now tho chief management in the investmen, Of
his vast property bonds and mortgages
Q business which requires the constant employ
ment of numerous agents and clerks Fiiz Green
Halleck is tho confidential clerk Of John Jacob,
and we hope, we believe, tho latter will not
forget him in his will.
Mr. Astor has always borne the name Of being
close or hard with those who became unfortunate
or in his debt, showing them no more lenty than
the law allowed them. 1t is said that If the in
terest is not always promptly paid, he instantly
forecloses a mortgage, and generally buys the
property in himself; ofteniimes. in this manner,
doubling the money advanced. Rich men are
not apt to be over-chaTitabe.
II is said by those who have the best opportu-
nifty Of knowing, that he has left. in his will, a
largo sum for the purpose OF erecting public IL
brary. We trust this Is the case. The splendid
hotel known as the Astor House is now the prop.
erty Of his son William. John Jacob has two
sons, besides several daughters, and numerous
grand children. He seldom goes out, except in
fine weather, and his health is feeble. His for>
tune is variously estimated from fifteen to TWEEN
rY-FIvs MILLIONS DoLLARs.--N. \. Atlas.
PROGRESS OF RAIL ROADS.