The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1865-07-01
JOHN JACOB ASTOR.
How the Richest Man in America
Acquired his Colossal Fortunc-In-
teresting Sketch, Of his Life-Anec.

teresting Sketch, OF his Life-Ancc.
dotes, &c.
Eighty-fye years ago stout, strong
lad of nearly seventeen, exceedingly well
made, though slightly understood; with
a clear, composed, intelligent look in his
eyes, a small bundle Of clothes hung over
bis shoulder upon a stick, and a crown
or two in his pocket, stood in the poor
little village of Waldorf in the Duchy of
Baden. BY his side was his father, a
Jolly, good.for-nothing butcher named
Jacob Aston, his mother and few friends;
among them old Valentine Jeune, his
school master, who whispered aside to
the beer-loving butcher, I'm not afraid
Of John Jacob, he'll get through the
world He hasa clear head and every
Thing right behind the ears" Good
bye" was said on both sides, and then
the lad strobe. manfully out of the vii
lage with tears in his eyes and a sob in
bis throat-for he loved his father, his
friends and his native village, though his
lot there had been forlorn enough.
II was under such circumstances as
these that John Jacob Aston went out
into the world to seek his fortune
In the city of New York, on the 10Th
OF March, lelS, the richest man in Amer
lca breathed his last in the presence of
his family and friends, without the least
symptom of pain or disquiet. He was
buried in vault in the church of st.
Thomas, Broadway. Washington Irving
Philip Hone, Sylvanus Miller, James G.
King, Isaac Bell, David B. Ogden, Thos
J. Oakley. Ramsey Crooks and Jacob B.
Taylor were pall-bearers at the funeral
The usual number Of six Episcopal Doc
tors vt Divinity assisted at the ceremo-
ny Bishop could scarcely have ex-
pected more distinguished funeral
homage Such thing it ism CONNER
cial oitrt to lie worth twenty millions
The butchers boy of Waldorf bad
found what he went i'll search of sixty
seven years before
Young Jacob, after bidding farewell to
his parents and friends, made for the
Rhine, only few miles distant He
worked his way down that river, and on
the fourteenth day after leaving home.
our youth found himself at Dutch sea-
port, with larger sum of money in his
pocket than he had ever before possess
ed He took passage for London, where
he landed few days afterwards, in total
ignorance of the place and language
His brother George. who had become a
partner in his unCle'S flute end piano
mandatory CASTOR & BroadwoOd's).
welcomed him with true German
warmth, and assisted hilu to procure en-
ployment, probably in the mandatory
in which he was partner. Jacob was
lucky in thus escaping the usual greet
ing 10 strangers by the amiable Britons,
characterized by Tbackery as "scowl,'
aud true British welcome of Curse you,
who dre you!"
For some time past, deep discomfort
bad settled upon the mind Of the young
est son of The iovial butcher of Waldorf.
The good fortune of his brothers-Henry,
a butcher in New York: John Melchior,
steward to a German nobleman, and
George in London-had infamed his de.
sire to seek his fortune in the New
World During the two years of his res
idcnce in the British Metropolis, he
strove most assiduously for three objects:
Ist. To save money I'd, to acquire the
English language; Sd, to get information
respecting America. In the month of
September, 1888, the news reached Lon
don that DR.. Franklin and his associates
in Paris had signed the detinitive treaty
which completed the independence of
the United States. Young Aston, then
twenty years old. made immediate pre-
parations for his departure for the New
Land, land embarked for Baltimore On
the passage out he formed the acquaint-
auce of German fcllow-passenger in the
fur business, who posted him up in some
of the secrets of the trade. He arrived in
Baltimore in March, and the two friends
travelled together to New York. When
he came to that city, where now his es-
tate is valued at forty millions, he had
little more than seven German flutes and
. long German head full of available
knowledge aud quiet determination. He
went straight to the abode of his brother
Henry, who gave him truly fraternal
welcome and received with hoSpitable
warmth the companion of his voyage.
The future millionaire found employ
ment in the store of Robert Bovine, an
aged and benevolent Quaker, long es-
tabllshed in the business Of buying, cur
ing and exporting peltries, at salary of
two dollarsa week and board He put
all his soul into the work of getting
Knowledge of furs, fur-bearing animals,
fur dealers, fur markets, fur gathering
Iudia1s, fur aboupding countries. In
time, he took the place of his employer
in the annual journey to Montreal, tn Oh
the chief fur mart of the country, where
he no doubt acquired that inconquera-
BILE propensity for making hard bargains
which was 50 marked feature in his
character, as Il merchant. In all trans
actions he kept in view the simple object
of giving the least and getting the most.
John Jacob Astor did not remain long in
the employment of Robert Bovine. In a
little shop on Water street, he began bus
mess about the year 1856. At first he
did everything for himself. From dawn
till dark he assiduously labored, buying,
curing. beating, packing, selling his skins.
1t was his first visit to London that es-
'lshed his business ON a solid fOunda-
In that huge mart of commerce he
hales of skins to great advan-
he'd a connection, aud made
A. n. C A. q