Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1862-12-06
The Astors.

But among all American capitalists the
name Of Astor looms up in unapproachable
solitude, and stands as it has stood for nearly
twenty years.
Among the emigrants who landed in Now
York about the close Of the French Revolu-
tion, was little German from Baden Baden,
whose life in the New World was commenced
as laborcr. He afterwards became ned.
dler Of Of fancy goods and eventually dealer
in peltries. In 1892 there appeared at No.
AZ, Little Dock street, the unpretendins
name of John Jacob Astor, and here the foun.
dation Of his estate was laid. Astor soon took
fair rank among business men. lie was
prompt and snug in his dealing, honest and
straightforward, and besides this he carried
a great weight Of character in his countenance
No man could be much with him without be-
ing struck with his depth of character and
the solidity Of his views. At that time the
fur trade was brisk along the Mohawk, and
the petres after passing through the
hands of frontier dealers, generally found their
way to Astor's warehouse on Liberty street
Here they were sorted by his own hands,
and prepared for foreign markets. An oct
ogenarian merchant informed me, that once
calling on Mr.. A., he found him in loft, clad
in long, coarse wrapper and engaged among
his furs. IL shall get for that said hc holding
up a splendid silver fox, forty dollars, in st.
Petersburg" 1t probably cost him less than
five dollars.
Mr.. Astor had brother of the same thrifty
turn, though not so successful in acquiring
wealth. lie was butcher by trade and
slaughtered himself into the pittanco of one
hundred thousand dollars, which as he died
early, he bcqueathed to William b. Astor,
his nephew.
alr. As.or commenced at an early day to
buy real estate, and the habit grew upon him
until it became passion. lie was tor years
leading character at shcriffs and other land
sales and it was the commonest thing at such
places to hear the closing words OF the auction
ecr: =" Last call-going going. gone-to John
Jacob Astor." At that time many large es-
tates were broken up, and among others that
of ArOn Burr was put into the market and
speedily became the property of Mr.. Astor.
1t embraced a small suburban principally.
whose mansion Richmond Hill," was Rurr's
country seat. The whole property is now in
the heart Of the city, and is worth millions,
where once it brought thousands. Mr.. As.or
boldly bought these wild lands including
swamps, rocky knolls, and barren commons
which lay ut waste from Canal street down to
l'loomingdalc, and while others effected to
laugh at his judgement, the correctness of
that judgement is now quite apparent to ALL
Mr.. Astor lived to an old ago and his life
was one Of few changes. From his humble
shop in Little Dock street, (now Water street,
near Coentis Slip,) he removed his place Of
business to Liberty street, No. II, and sub
sequently to Broadway. His longest place Of
abode was 223 Broadway, now part Of the
site of the Astor House, whence after resi-
dence in Hoboken, he removed up town to a
block in Broadway, near Prince street. Here
he remained until his death, but he lived long
enough to see the progress of the city cover
ing his lands, with dwelling. and bequeathed
to his son the largest estate in America. Mr..
Astor had n literary taste. and was fond Of
bookmen. Ho gave Fitz-Green Halleck n
snug and profitable clcrkship, and OH the
death of the capitalist, William b. Astor pre-.
scnted to the poet ten thousand dollars. Mr..
Astor sought tho acquaintance Of Washington
Irving, on the return of that distinguished
gentleman from Europe. and it was at his
special request that the Astoria was written.
The friendship between these two distinguish
cd men continued until death, when it was
found that Mr.. Irving had been appointed one
Of the executors of the will. The fees con-
nccted with this Office could MT have been
less than one hundred thousand dollars, and
tho executors. six in number, at one time re-
ccived ten thousand dollars apiecc.-Costi.
ncntQl
-. ---.--------
Tom THUMB MADE A MASTER Mason
The N. Y. Tribune, Of Oct. 26th, says:
A great sensation was created among the
Freemasons of Connecticut few days ago,
occasioncd by Mr.. Stratton, alias Gen. Tom
Thumb. being initiated, passed, and raised to
the sublime degree Of a master mason in St.
Johns Lodge, No. l, Of Bridgeport. The hall
| was crowded to excess to witness the interest
ing ceremonies. 1t is due to the Generals
reputation to state that he bore the trials,
mentally and physically, in manner that
would have reelected honor on greater men.
The Freemasons boast that men Of tho high
cst social positions and greatest talents have
been enrolled in their institution. but We much
doubt whether their records will show another
30 small a specimen of humanity eatitled to be
greeted as brother. The General, who is
now in Washington, previous to his departure.
gave an order to Mr.. NJ. j. Drummond Of this
city to make him one Of tho finest lambskin
aprons that could be procured. The General
announced his intention Of joining the knights
Templars at convenient season.
.