Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1862-06-14
How the Richest Man In New York
Spends HIS Time.

A correspondent Of tie Rochester Dem
ocrat sketches the richest man in New
York in this manner:
WM. b. AsroR.-Mr. Astors Office i. in
Prince street, near Broadway, where he
may be found daily between the hours oi
mine sud three" He Is large, stout
built man, with coarse features, stiff, rough,
sandy colored hair, and cast Of coun,e-
nance Of very ordinary type. He drcs.
es plainly but neatly, has somewhat
careworn Look, and appears to be fifty to
sixty years Of age. His private Office is
of moderate size and Of plain furniture.
On table few books, ard on opening
that one which appears most thumbed,
you perceive that it is volume Of maps
OF city property, carefully and elegantly
executed, and, as . whole, embracing the
sundries of an enormous estate, estimated
at over $25 100000. Mr.. Astor resides
in Lafayette Place, in one of row of
dwellings which twenty-five years ago
were the grandest in the city, though now
they are distanced by the palaces of Fifth
Avenue.
Near by is the magnificent library found.
ec by his father, to which he has added
fund nearly equal to the endowment
Here he spends small part of his time,
the remainder being occupied by his duties
in the Prince street office, where, Sundays
excepted, be does full days work every
day in the week. Thus the whole routine
of life Of the richest man in America is a
walk to and from home of half q mile
and close attention to business. The care
of Mr. Astor's estate is vast burden. He
has severa! hundred tenants of all grades,
from the $500 cottage to the $50, 900 store
10 relieve him of this vexatious duty, he
has committed it for years to an agent,
who does the work well. He collects rents
and makes quarterly returns, and thus
pays over sum which would be almost ill.,
credible. aud Which We may roughly esti-
mate at $3o0,o00 per sunum. This man
employs small army Of painters, car.
penters and other mechanics, in order to
keep up repairs, and superiuteuds the
whole Of this department. AS large
part Of Mr.. Astor's property consists Of
vacant lots which are III continual demand,
and which he will not sell, he is much EN-
ploysd with architects and mastar build
ers, and generally has one or two large
blocks il course Of erection at a time
This is a very serious burden His son
John Jacob is quite business man, and
bears bis share Of the load. Besides this,
some fifteen years ago a talented and ele.
CANT yoong merchant, franklin Delano)
married one Of the daughters, and also
affords assistance. In addition to these
lnbors, the attention to the collection of
interest in bonds, dividends, &c, is a
heavy itom, since in the little brick Office
(Which is, of course. fre-prooD there are
millions of Government and State securi.
ties. His daily income is computed at
Sc, 900. 1t is said that a certain person
felicits,ed Mr.. Astor on his wealth Point,
ing to his piles Of bonds. maps, &c, the
capitalist replied: :" How would you like
to manage all these matters for your board
aud clo.hes?' The man demurrcd to the
idea. Sir said the other, ait is all
get" Mr.. Astor, i. is said, gives but little
away.