Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1868-11-20

Astor has none Of his fathers liking for
trade. He essls altogether in real estate
and in leases Of property owned BY Trinity
Church, . corporation worth 3l00, 000, 900.
He has q wonderful memory. lie can tell
every square foot Of property he owns, the
exact date at which each lsaae expires, and
the amour, due on it 10 . penny. he very |
rarely sells any Of his property; but he is
buyin, constantly, and will be to his dying
day, though it cannot be many years before
he will be obliged to exchange all his vslu-
able sites and acres for three by seven lot
in . corner Of Long Island. He scarcely
ever improves any Of his real estate. He
buys Il Tor an advance, and lets u 70 only
when he thinks IT has reached ito maximum
rate.
PRIVATE BRsiDRNcB.
Astor lives in Lafayette Place, net FAR
from Astor Place, 10 . handsome, though
ssmsv that old fashioned brick house, ad-
jsiniag the Astsr Library. HE rssidsncs
vas bsilt for, and given TO hin by hs
father. Most fashionable snd wealthy pee
pie have moved up town, but be 10 conserv-
a,ivs. avsrss to change. and will breathe bic
last under that roof. He 10 temperate in
oil things, and has always taken excellent
care Of his health, but be likes . good dir
nsr and . bsttle Of wine, and sits long ct
table. He has not . very sociabls or gre.
garious nature, but no gives elaborate din
nsr parties, and often has company at bis
house. As entertainer, few surpass him.
On Q social occasion his plate 10 the moot
massive, his viands the costlisat, and ms
wines the richest to be found in New York.
ApPEARANCR
:, He il very fond Of walking, going from
| his home to his Office and back almost in
4 variably on foot. lie is . tall man, fully 81,
J. feet, Of heavy frame, large and rather coarse
/ | features, small eyes, cold and sluggisf
, looking, much more German than A nsrican
1 nothing distinguished or Noticeable abou
4 him, whom ne one would suppose % old q
he 10 BY At least fifteen years. He has
: strong constitution, and 10 in viserou
/ health, and may see his hundredth birth
!. day. He has tws sens, John Jacob ant
WIN. B Astor, Jr. both Of whom are .
close applicants to business - their father
and several daughters, oil married to veal
: thy gentlemen. Mrs. Astor, who IL tn
. daughter Of General Armstrong. Jane
Madissn's Secretary Of War, 10 woman q
:, culture and accomplishment. and lend
4 grace aad dignity to her husbands hosp
!. pitality.
InxnNss WEALTH.
III William b. AstOr's wealth cannot be q
n curatsly determined. lie does not kno,
10 himself; but il probably &6b, 200, 900 Q
10 ga, 0O0. 600. perhaps go. 0OO,0 900 OF 800
70 100000. 1T increases largely every year b
I. reason OF Tho advance in property, and ma
g double in value before his death. His in
l. come 10 greatly disproportioned to his fol
10 tune, because he owns such large amour
Of unproductivs real estate. He has muc
property that even his sens know nothin
Of. and, lks his father, seem unwilling
!. have any one understand tho immensely
;: his riches. 1t 10 said he is sery anxious
n see how many Of his Investments will tur
!. cut but at 70 that rare pleasure cannot |
!. forever enjoyed. j. Il. B.