The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1865-03-03
The Merchant Millionairc-Sketch of
John Jacob Astor. -

JOnn JACOB AStOr.
Astor was born in Waldorf. in the
Grand Duchy OF Baden, Germany, on the
l7lh Of July, 1863. lie was the yourg.
est of the four sons of Jacob Astor,
butcher, whose cornwall and spendthrifs
habits KEEP. his family poor, in spite of the
industry of his thrifty wife. From their
unattractive home The older boys early
took their flight. George, the oldest, went
to London, where be had become part
ner Of flute and piano manufacturing
firm of Astor & Broad wood, which still
tiourlshes under the name OF Broad wood
& Co. Henry went to New York, where
he followed his fathers trade; became
rich, aud died without children, John
Melchor Astor, the third son, became
steward to nobleman's estate in Ger
many. Mrs. As,or having died. the sea-
ior As,or married again. The slepmoth>
er treated John Jacob harshly, ard he re-
solved 10 leave for more pleasant locality.
He had been well educated by Valentine
JENNIE, the village schoolmasier, a French
Protestant, but had only crown or two
in his pocket, and bundle Of clothes in
handkerchief, when in the year 1850 he
left home, America being bis ultimate
destination, though be intended first to
visit his brother George in London He
worked his way down the Rhine on raft,
and arrived at Dutch seaport with lar
ger sum of money, raised at the oar, than
he had ever before possessed. On reach
ing London, his brother found him en-
ployment probably in bis own manufac-
tory. He there learL ed to speak English
fluentIy, though to the end of bis days
his accent was unms,akabIy German.
His wages were small, but be was very
saving. and his Industry in obtaining in.
formation about America interchangeable.
In September, 1888. he had good sui,
OF Sunday clothes and fifteen euiness, the
result OF two years of unremit,ing toll.
As soon as peace had been concluded with
tue United States. by the recognition OF
their independence by England, Aston
made prepar alton 20 sail for the land of
promise
In November be paid five Of DIS guineas
tor steerage passage, =, he invested FIVE
more gulneas in TIE purchase Of seven
| flutes and, with the third FIVE as his money
capital, Sc, sail. For two months the yes
sci was ice bound in Chesapeake Bay, and
the passengers were fed Oh very short ra
tlons. This delay, however, proved very
! fortunate for Aslor. A German fellow
passenger who had made good bargains
with the Indians in the purchase of furs,
which lie had taken to England and sold
!
stock for a second venture of the ,kind
| He gave Asior much information about
! his business and advised him TO follow his
example. This be- resolved to do. In
March, 1854, the ice broke up, and the
vessel reached Baltimore. The long de-
tenton, and the journey to New \ ork,
near y exhausted Asior's money, and bis
wits aud his seven flutes ~were his chief
capital. On arriving at New York he
found that bis brother Henry was lsborng
under mbasrsssmen,s. which, however,
proved temporary. He could do but lit
tic for the new corner. The latter Was not
man TO give way to despair. He a;
once entered the employ of Robert Boune,
Quaker, who bought dealt in, and e1,
ported peItries.
The wages paid were 81 week and
board. By his Industry and intelligence
the youn. beginner soon thoroughly
learned his employers business and gain
ed his good will He Wa. soon intrusled
with more important business thsn be-.
ing furs and made, in his stead, Journey
to Montreal, then the chief fur art in
North America. Returning with his furs.
be empleye the Indians in transporting
them to the Hudson, down which he
brought them in sloop. lie speedily
learned the art Of trading with the abol j.
glnes, and never could raise superior to
the habits CT hard bargaining, which he
acquired In his dealing with them.
Astor did not long remain in "r.
Boune's employ. In 1879, in a li:;Ie
shop IN Water street, with back room,
ayaTd and shed, the shop furnised with
only few Toys and trinkets he began bu
siness for himself He had then tee most
unbounded confidence in lis abilities He
was sure of getting rich, though, as be
remarked in his old age The first
hundred dolars-ihat was hard 10 get but
4 "i'Ni " h'No ~ vac C"oS " h'"hS 'Ho'S.
AZ first he did all bis work himself lie
bought, cured, beat, packed, and sod his
skins. AT the proper seasons of the wear,
with bis pack on .his back, be made short
excursions into the country, collecting
skins from house to house. gradually ex-
tending the area Of his travels, till he
knew The state of New York as no man
of bis day knew it. lie early noted the
spots which he thought would one day be
come business centres, and Rochester and
Buffalo afterwards established the keen
ness Of his discernment His first voyage
10 London with fnrs established his bust
ness on a solid foundation. One Of the
results Of this was 70 make an arrange
Ineut with Astor & Broaawooc, Of Lon
don, by which be became their New York
agent for the sale Of pianos, violLs, and
flutes. He was the frs: man 10 New
York who constantly kept for sale sup
ply Of musical instruments. On his re-
turn from England be moved 10 little
dingy store in Gold street. where be
swung on, the sign Of Furs and Piano,."
In 1890 he married Sarah Todd, whose