East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1861-10-01
ronN IACoR AsrOK.

Ipired, and the names that have figured i
the city history, who resided where til
hotel now stands.
Among the most eminent, Of course
was John Jacob Astor lie lived at 30
Broadway, in large double house III
lived in tho house a great portion Of hi
certainly commenced to live ther
as early as 1902. think Rufus King
tho founder Of the King femily in tbi
city, built tho house and sold it 20 Mr.
Astor.
When Mr.. Astor started in this city n,
resided at No. 40 Little Dock street tnov
Water) He then moved to no Broad
way. He kept his store til Liberty st
In 1902 he removed his residence tc
223 Broadway, and there he lived as late
as in 1896, when he gave up that house
to his son William b.
His neighbors who occupied houses
facing upon broadway, where the Astor
now stands, were all prominent men.
think the numbers were 2l3 to 227. Mr..
Astor, as have said, lived at 223-north
Of him, on the corner of Barclay, was
227. That house was owned and occu-
pied by John G. Coster. 1t was the last
property purchased by Mr.. Astor to give
him all the land required upon which to
build his contemplated hotel. lie had
purchased all the other portions at very
low prices, Not over $4,000 for lot
and house of any price. There was no
chance of his ever wanting money, or of
being forced to sell. Mr. Astor, while he
was making the purchase of other prop
erty, had let no one into his secret in
tentions. Finally, he went to Mr.. Coster
and told him frankly "Coster, am 90
ing to build hotel. want the ground
upon which your house stands. 1t is Of
no particular use to you you can 60 up
Broadway, above Canal street, and build
a palace with tho money i will pay you.
Now | wish you to name two friends and
I will name one. The three shall fix the
value of 227. When they have done 50
add $4,000 to it, and will give you a
check for the total amount, aud you can
give me the deed of the property"
The proposition, so fair, and so much
more than Mr.. Coster expected was &C.
cepted at once. Mr.. Coster Immediately
made his arrangements to build the house
palace it was-517 Broadway. There
he lived until he died. Then it was rent
ed to the famous Chinese Museum, bro't
from Canton here. The house was finally
called the "Chinese building" and still
stands, portion of it let to model artists,
or some similar amusement, that would
horrify the moral and yirtuous John,
could he return from the spirit world,
Between tho house of Mr. Astor at 223
and Of Costcr, 227, lived at 225 the ceo-
brated David Lydig. | do not know
what price Mr.. Astor paid him. Ho
moved ont of his house preparatory to
to its being torn down in 1880, to No.
81 Laight street, and there he lived until
he died in 1910 i think his son lives
there yet His name was Philip.
David Lydig was one Of the bold old
race of merchants that built up New
Vnrk, aud I will not pass the name now
without further mention. IL IS almost
extinct, and yet no "lirm" has been more
honored.
David Lydig must have been an older
man than John Jacob Astor, for he start
cd in the -four business, OH his own ac-
count, in 1870, at No. 21 Peck Slip, and
lived over his store. lie afterwarps took
a residence at 50 Beekrnan; and there he
lived for many years-in fact, until 1929
when he moved to 225 Broadway. u
In 1924 old David took into business
his son Philip, at 100 South Street, and
the firm was for many years David Lydig
e Son. 'i.'. .ii a'aai anialal'
David Lydig was in every prominent
bank and insurance company for nearly
half century. He was a prominent
in 1890, and died in 1910. l
believe that ho had only retired a few
years previous to his death from active
business 'e.a t'i ia18ht
In 2l9, old Michael Paff had his cele-
brated picture gallery. Who among old
New Workers does not remember the ia
nous "O!d PafI?" Were he alive now,
he would be worlds wonder | wish |
had time to say more of him. ''A
Aaron Fountain occupied store In
that block-so did Jonathan Smith,
Wagstaff kept his store in one Of the
and | cannot recollect, at the
the other prominent man WHO
lived in that celebrated block. '''i.'
About the time Mr.. Astor lived last at
223, the firm was John Jacob Astor &
Son, aud also the American Fur Com
pany. That Office was at 3 Vestry, and
extended back, so that the rear wall was
on line with the north side Of Mr.. AS
tors dwelling at 223 Broadway. Will
liam lived at II State street. i @
In the war, aud many years after, Mr..
Astor had his store at 66 Pine street,
corner OF Pearl Street. i'' f.A' z"
AT 22l Broadway he could walk from
his yard into the Store. There was an
open piazza supported by pillars and
arches, where he frequently sat Of An
afternoon, after he had had his dinner at
three o'clock. lie would play three games
Of checkers and no more, and drink
glass Of beer. lie did not drink anything
else in his working days. .1'..'e
Those who suppose Mr.. Astor had an
easy time in money matters, arc greatly
He has often paid old Prime
in Wall street. very large interest and a