Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-11-06

and admire the solid-looking building called
the "Astor," extending the whole length of
"block," can have very little idea of the
events that have transpired, and the names
that have figured in the city history, who
resided where the hotel now stands.
Among the most eminent, of course, was
John Jacob Astor. lie lived at No. 223
Broadway, in a large double house. He
lived in the house a great portion of his
life-certainly commenced to live there as
early as 1902. l think Rufus King, the
founder of the King family of this city,
built the house and sold it to Mr.. Astor.
When Mr.. Astor started in this city, he
resided at No. 40 Little Dock-street, (now
Water.) He then removed to 149 Broad
way. He kept his Office at II Liberty
street.
In 1902 he removed his residence to 223
Broadway, and there he lived as late as in
1926, when he gave up that house to his son
William b.
His neighbors who occupied houses facing
him on Broadway, where the Astor House
now stands, were all prominent men.
think the numbers were from 2l9 to 237.
Mr.. Astor, as | have said, lived at 223-
north of him, on the corner of Barclay, was
227. That house was owned and occupied
by John G. Coster 1t was the last property
purchased by Mr.. Astor to give him all the
land required to build his contemplated no.
tel. He had purchased all the other por-
tions at very low prices. Not over $4,000
for lot and house of any price. There
was no chance of his even wanting money
or of being forced to sell. Mr.. Astor, while
he was making the purchase of other
property, had let no one into his secret in
tentions. Finally he went TO Mr.. Coster
and told him frankly "Coster, am going
to build hotel. l want the ground upon
which your house stands. 1t is of no par
ticular use to you you can go up Broad
way, above Canal-street, and build palace
with the money 1 will give you. Now l
wish you to name two friends, and will
name one. The three shall fix the value of
No. 227. When they have done so, add
$4,000 to it, and l will give you a check
for the total amount, and you can give me
deed for that property"
The proposition, so fair, and so much
more than Mr.. Coster expected, was ac-
cepted at once.
Mr.. Coster Immediately made his ar
rangements to build the house-palace it
was-No SIT Broadway. There he lived
till he died. Then it was rented to the IA
nous Chinese Museum, brought from Can
"Chinese Building" and still stands, q
portion of it let to model artists, or similar
amusements, that would horrify the moral
and virtuous John, could he return from the
spirit world.
Between the house of Mr. Astor, at 223
and of Coster, 227, lived at No. 225 the cell
ebrated David Lydig. L do not know what
price Mr. Astor paid him ; he moved out of
the house preparatory to its being torn
down in 1880, to No. "a Laight-street and
there he lived until he died, in 1840 l
think his son lives there yet. His name was
Philip.
David Lydig was one of the band of mer-
chants that built up New York, and will
not pass the time now without further men,
tion. 1t is almost extinct, and yet no firm
has been more honored.
David Lydig must have been an older
man than John Jacob Astor, for he started
in the -four business, on his own account
in 1890, at No. II Peck Slip, and lived over
his store. He afterward took a residence
at 55 Beekman and there he lived for
many years-in fact, until 18l9-when he
moved to 225 Broadway.
In 1924, old David tock into business his
son Philip, at l60 South-street, and the firm
was for many years David Lydig & Son.
David Lydig was in a very prominent
bank and Insurance Company for nearly
half century. He was prominent mer-
chant in 1899, and died in 1910. believe
he had retired only a few years previous to
his death from active business.
At 229, old Michael Paff had his cele-
brated Picture Gallery. Who among old
New Workers does not remember the famous
"Old Paff?" We're he alive now, he would
be a worlds wonder. l wish l had time to
say more of him.
Aaron Fontaine occupied a store on that
block, 80 did Jonathan Smith Wagstaff
kept his store in one of the numbers, and
can not recollect, at the moment, the other
prominent men who lived in that celebrated
block.
About this time Mr.. Astor lived last at
223; the firm was John Jacob pastor & Son,
and also the American Fur Company. That
Office was at Vestry, and extended back,
so that the rear wall was on line with the
north side of Mr.. Astors dwelling at 223
Broadway. William lived at II State
street.
In the war, and many years after, Mr..
Astor had his store at 90 Pine, street, corner
of Pearl street.
At 223 Broadway he could go from his
yard into the store. There was an open
piazza, supported by pillars aud arches,
where he frequently sat ofan afternoon, af-
ter he had his dinner, at three o'clock. He
would play three games of checkers and no
more, and drink a glass of beer. He did
not drink any thing else, in his working
days.
Those who suppose Mr.. Astor had an easy
time in money matters are greatly mistaken.
He has often paid old Prime, in Wall
street, very large interest and a large com
mission to get long paper discounted
He (Mr. Astor) loved to tell anecdotes
connected with his early difficulties. One
was about bargain he made with his
brother Henry, when the latter was much
better off than his brother John, for Henry
was owner of butcher stall No. 81 in the
Fly Market-valuable property in the. com
mencement of this century. Henry then
lived at 81 BOwery. o
John, in his financial difficulties, fre
quently went to Henry for loan or for an
Endorsement This was sort Of annoyance
to Henry, who did not like to borrow or lend
to any body. On one occasion John wanted
5000 very badly. He went to Henry and
asked him to lend him that sum.
"JOhn, l will give you 5000, if you will
agree never to ask me to loan you money,
indorse note or sign bond for you, or be
obligated for you in any manner whatever.
John says he hesitated for moment,
rapidly passed through his mind its advau-
tages, for 500 was Sl00 in those days, ac-