Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1862-10-09

. cations, and of selecting such as SCENE
worthy of his patronage. Mr.. Leno
x annually disburses an enormous sum
J. a most useful as well as most quiet maj
y ner. Indeed, his mansion is one Of th
" benevolent institutions of the day, an
. to all intents and purposes its occupar
. is but an actuary, driven by perpetus
duties and working with assiduity
fulfil an important trust. He is a thor
: oughly practical man, posted on all th
details of business, and inheriting tb
/; peculiar abilities and energy of hi
father, puts them to the best Of use.
Mr.. Lenox is a man of fine taste, an,
finds recreation in gathering rare books
Of which he has valuable collection
. and possesses splendid gsllsEy Of pie
lures. Among them are two Of Turn
er's landscapes, and we know of q,
others in America. We might sa,
more of this estimable man, but vii
not too soon anticipate the voice o
fame. Our statements are made main
ly to correct some false impression
about one who. with all his reticence
is one of the public men of his day
who ful6Ils the idea Of the poet:
ado good by stealth and blush to find it fame. "
GEORGE DOUGLAS.
Such a man was George Douglas,
one Of the same circle of wealthy citi-
zens of Scotch descent; who, though
in a pecunisry view hardly in the same
rank with Mr.. Leno1, was still very
rich. Mr.. Douglas preserved studied
retirement, and passed much Of his
time on his noble farm, but was still
active in philanthropy. His estate can
not be far from half million, yet it
was used humbly in the service of bis
race.
THE LsToRs.
But among all American capitalists
the name of Astor looms up in unap-
proacbable solitude, and stands as it
has stood for nearly forty years.
Among the emigrants who landed in
New York about the close Of the French
Revolution, was a rude German from
Baden, whose life in the New World
was commenced as laborer. He af-
terward became pedlar of fancy goods,
and eventually dealer in peltries. In
1891 there appeared, at No. 40 Little
Dock street, the unpretending name of
John Jacob Astor, and here the foun-
dation Of his estate was laid. Astor
soon took fair rank among business
men. He was prompt and snug in his
dealing. honest and straightforward.
and besides this carried sgreat weight
OF character in his countenance. No
man could be much with him without
being struck with his depth of charac.
ter and the solidity of bis views. At
that time the fur trade was brisk along
the Mohawk, and the peltries, after
passing through the hands of frontier
dealers, generally found their way into
Astor's warehouse in Liberty street.
Here they were sorted by his own
hands, and prepared for foreign markets.
An octegenarian merchant informed me
that, calling once at Mr.. Astor's store,
he found him in loft, clad in long,
coarse wrapper, and engaged among
his furs. 81 shall get for that" he said,
holding up splendid silver fox, "for-
ty dollars in st. Petersburg" 1t prob.
ably cost him less than FIVE dollars.
Mr.. Astor had brother Of the same
thrifty turn, though not so successful
in acquiring wealth. He was butcher
BY trade, and slaughtered himself into
q pittance of one hundred thousand dol
lars which, as he died early, he be-
queathed to William B., his nephew.
Mr.. Astor commenced at an early
day to buy real estate, and the habit
grew upon him until it became pas
sion. He was for years leading char
acter at sheriff and other land sales,
and it was the commonest thing at such
places to hear the closing words Of the
auctioneer: "Last call--going, going,
gone-to John Jacob Astor." At that
time many large estates were broken
up, and among others that of Aaron
Burr was put into the market, and
speedily became the property of Mr..
Astor. 1t embraced small suburban
principality. whose mansion, erich
mond Hill," was Burr's country seat.
The whole property is now in the
heart of the city, and is worth millions,
where once it brought thousands. Mr..
Astor boldly bought those wild lands,
including swamps, rocky knolls, and
barren commons. which lay at waste
from Canal street onward to Blooming
dale, and while others affected to laugh
at his Judgment, the correctness OF
that judgment is now quite apparent.
Mr.. Astor lived to old age, and his
life was of few changes. From his
humble shop in Little Dock street
(now Water street, near Ceepties Slip,
he removed bis place of business to
Liberty street, No. n, and subse-
quently to Broadway. His longest
place of abode was No 223 Broad way,
now a part OF the site of the Astor
House, whence, after q residence in
Hoboken, he removed up town to a
block in Broadway, near Prince street.
Here he remained until death, but he
lived long enough to see the progress
of the city covering his land with DWELL
ings, and bequeathed to his son the
largest estate in America.
Mr.. Astor had 8 literary taste, and
was fond of book men. He gave Fitz