Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1862-05-23
How VIM. b. Astor Employs his Tixas.

A correspondent of the Rochester Demo-
eras, thus sketches the daily life of one Of
the richest men Of New York:
Mr.. Astor's Office is in Prince street. near
Broadway, where he may be found daiiy be.
tween the hours of 'nine and three" lie II
large, stout-bult man, with coarse features
stiff, rough, sandy colorcd hair, and cast Of
countenance Of very ordinary type. He
dresses plainly but neatly, has a somewhat
careworn look, and appears to be fifty OF SIX.
ty years Of age. His private Office is of mod
crate size and Of plain furniture. On table
are few books, and on opening that ono
which appears most thumbed, you perceive
that it is volume Of maps Of city property,
carefully and elegantly executed, and as
whole, embracing the sundIies of an cnorm-
GUS estate, estimated at over $25, 900 ,OOO.--
Mr.. Astor resides in Lafayette Place, in ono
ola row of dwellings, which twenty five years
ago were the grandest in the city, though now
they are distanced by the palaces Of the Fifth
avenue. Near by is the magnificent library,
founded by his father, to which he has added
a fund nearly equal to the original endow.
ment. Here he spends small part of his
time, the remainder being occupied by his
duties in the Prince street office, where, Sun
days excepted, he does full days work ev.
cry day in the week. Thus the whole rou.
tine of life of the richest man in America IL
walk to and from home Of half mile and
close attention to business. The care Of Mr..
Astor's estate is a vast burden. He has sew
eral hundred tenants Of all grades, from the
$500 cottage to the 100000 store. To re-.
|ieve himself OF this vexatious duty, he has
| committed 1t Tor years to nm agent, who does
the work well. He collects rents and tnakea
quarterly returns, and thus pays over Z sum
| which would he almost incredible, and which
we may roughly estimate Mt 100000 per
| annum. This man employs small army Of
painters. carpenters, and other mechanics in
ord + to keep up repairs and supcrintends
the whole of this department.. As a large
part OF Mr. Astors property consists OF w.
cant lots which are in continual demand, and
which hc will not sell, he is much employed
with architects and master builders, and gem
orally has one or two large blocks in course
of erection. at time This very serious
burden. His son John Jacob is quite bus-
mess man, and bears his share Of the load.
Besides this, some fifteen years ago talent.
ell and elegant young merchant (Franklin
Delano) married one Of the daughters, and
also affords assistance. In addition to these
abors, the attention to the collection Of in
terest in bond dividends, ETC., is heavy item
since in the little brick Office (which is of
course, firc-proofD there arc several millions
of Government and State securities. His
daily income is computed at 10000. It il
said that certain person felicitated' Mr.. As
tor on his wealth. Pointing to his piles of
bonds, maps, &C., the capitalist remarked;
"lIow would you like to manage all these
matters for your board and clothes p The
man demurred at the idea. "Sir," said tho
other, "it is all get" Mr.. Astsr, it is said,
gives but little away.