Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-04-20
Biographical,
John Jacob Aston,

clay not up for yourselves treasures on earth,
is an ancient eXhortaton recorded in the sacred
volume, and the events of the past month would
seem powerfully to incucate that doctrine, by the
force of several recent examples.
More than sixty years ago, strong-minded
young German, with slender finances, and Of
humble birth and education, crossed the Allan
tic, to seek a home in America, followed, in a
few years by bold, yet cautious and shrewd
Frenchman who, though nursed in the lap OF
plenty, and his brain filled with learned lore, had
tasted of poverty, and was seeking an asylum
from persecution in the land of the free.
The young German adventurer made America
his home; his talents and perseverance brought
him immense wealth; he is said to have accumu-
lated twenty-five millions of dollars. The French
man returned to his native land; hereditary rich
es awaited him, and at length throne The
German lived Just long enough to learn that the
French advenlurer had escaped from his own
capital unshaven and in disguise, with five
franc piece in his pocket, and that his immense
treasures had been confscated The richest man
in America died on the week in which he re-
ceived tidngs that the richest man in Europe
was once more fugitive and wanderer having
no home
John Jacob Astor, when he landed at Bati-
more from England, in merchant ship, on
board of which he had been Storage passen-
ger, in March 1884, was in his 2lst year, poor,
uneducated, spoke English very imperfectly, and
possessed but few musical instruments, and a
very small supply of money.
Mr.. Astor was born in the village of Waldorf
near the ancient City of Heidelberg, in the
Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany, in July, 1863,
of humble parents. John Jacob Astor seems to
have felt keeny the prvatons of early poverty,
and to have turned his attention to the acquisi-
ton of wealth with far seeing sagacity the mo-
ment he set his foot on the American soil. He
sold few flutes bought iurs, studied the fur
trade, made himself aware of the value and quail
tiles of furs, and of the best markets, engaged
himself for a time in fur store, was married
early in life to young and amiable German dam
sci, who had dowry of about $500 and, obtain
ing a small loan, entered into partnership.
Some forty years since he founded the Amer
can Fur Company, having previously acquired a
moderate fortune (even for his ambtlon) by
dealing in furs and peltries If he was not the
principal owner at first, it is certain that he G.
ventually appears to have had the chief control
and interest in it.
ilo NOnpdlly --ul WlllCllj 50 IGCGHJly DIS IC~J
Mr.. Astor was Presidant-shpped cargoes of
furs direct to China, and brought to this port, in
return invoices of teas, china, silks, silk thread,
yermillion, handkerchiefs, grapes, &c. Mr.. A.
was prompt and regular in business and employ
ed the most active, experienced and trustworthy
captains and supercargoes, one Of whom tells US
that he would have consigned to him, OCCASION
ally, for the Fur Company, or on his own &C
count invoices of silks alone to the value of
$4,000, $4,000, 100000; also vast guam
titles Of vermilon teas, china dining sets, &c.
The question is often asked, How rich is Mr.
Astorl But who can answer! Perhaps, in his
lifetime, he could have made an estimate within
two or three millions of the true value, and per-
haps not. Those who may have known, tell us
that his income of late has been million of dol.
lars year, besides large property at present
unproduCtive.
Mr. Astor did not play at cards or gamble in
the ordinary acceptation of the term, but was
fond of smoking tobacco, reading, and talking
upon business matters. He rose early and went
soon to bed, was stout and square built, over five
feet nine in height, with high, square forehead
and his features somewhat heavy. He was either
very good tempered, or else had great command
of his passions, for those who have seen him
when lie had cause to be displeased, assured
US that he was anything but violent in his dis.
position.
I We have before lis a number Of his autoQl aph
letters, written on important subjects, at various