The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-17

As SUCCESSOR TO HI6 FArukR'S FORTUNE
The ufst thing Mr.. Aston did upon succeeding 70
his colossal inheritance was carry out the requests
O. MS iather lie sent one OF his own soma to Wal.
dorf IN Germany-hls father's blrthplace-to attend
personally 10 the disposition OF the funds assigned
TOT bestowal there. A large discriminating power
was eit with Mr.. Aston as to the best mode OF
investing this money. Ills wisdom as a financial
manager IN turning TO the best and most permanent
account mis- fund, rs also the large and healthlu
ludeious disposal OF the $500 thus entrusted 10
MN. After putting up the proper buildings
Tor an institution whose eieemosynary char.
acter should embrace the poor Of Waldorf
Of al ages, sexes aud religious beliefs, he managed
70 invest $4,000 Tor liz permanent maintenance IL
y now in most llourshlng condition. The aged
and lntrm poor, irrespective OF Color through dts
ease or otner causes, are here given pleasant
home; orphan children from the ayes OF SIX TO
nlteen, lelt wnout support, here given instruc
ton and trained to actlve ana Industrious habits,
aud there are also apartments for tue blind and
deaf ana dumb and n nursery Tor infants Tne
name Of the institution Is the Aslor House.
~ take great pride IN tho Astor House OF New
York; Mr.. Astor has been heard to say, when
referring TO this institution .but greater pride In
the Aston House OF Waldorf The massive granite
blocks ana pillars Of the former may crumole ana
fall 10 the ground or It's columns and corridors be-
come choked with weeds, but the latter Will con.
tinue in existence while the town OF Waldorf exists
aud there arc any poor people IN it.n
4 Not satisfied with carrying out the exact specinca-
lions OF the VIII, William Il. Aston took on himself
10 recty some o. It's papaoe errors and Omissions as
to FitzIreene tialleck, the former friend and secre
tary Of his father.
Leaving YOU only $500 annuity.n
'.lle pad me for all the services rendered him
and had no additional claim ON HIM.
~ think you have CLAIMS on the estate,n pursued
Mr. Aston 'and a. mark OF appreciation OF your
past fidelity have raised your annuity TO sl,5oo.n
gifted son oil song and he could say no more. The
closing years OF his beautiful but sad life by
thus act OF timely liDerallty lifted above care and
his pathway to the grave strewn with pleasant
flowers.
"You saved a large amount OF property in China
for my Ihnr In
been IN his fathers employ, Tor whom he sent soon
alter the latteris death.
captain, 'the property was mperled on this
account and saved II and turned over TO your
lathcr s7oo,000.n
and he never paid you any thing.N
mot dollar.n
an pay you,n and he filed out check for
$4,000 and gave II TO the sea captain.
The minor beauests OF John jacob Astor ana aldi-
tional sums given away by William Il. Aston alb
soroed aoont s2ooo,oOo Of the estate The rest fell
to William u. Astor.
THE AsToR LIBRARY,
The original fund for founding the Aston Library,
as Is we'll known, was $4,000 OF winch 500, 600
was to be expended IN the site and building
$4,000 In the purchase OF books, and Slso,0OJ,
fmna 20 MAINTAIN and ,ncrease tho iihrary rns."
stipulatlons OF the will OF John JACOB Aston were
fully complied with. on Lafayette place massive
building OF 10 feet front ana l2J feet depth, OF
but beautiful design, whose huge arched doorways
ana windows were IN tasteful Keeping with the
grand purpose to which 1t was to be dedicated, was
speedily erected. II unnecessary to dwell on the
ceremonies OF Its opcningto call 10 mind the pleas
ing presence and grateful smiles OF that happy man
and genial scholar and writer, Washington irving
TO call up from the sladowy past the forms OF others
reyered Tor the beauty OF their personal character
occasion. 1t was noble Dequest and the public
appreciated 1t as such. II might thus nave
stood an enduring monument o. the wise and liberal
penclccnce OF its founder. Mr. William b. Aston
was not satisfied with lis resting here. lie saw the
vast good II was accomplishing. lie foresaw It's
greatly beneccnt results In The future. Discerning
the rapid growth Of our city and the splendid des
tiny In store for our great commercial metropolis,
he saw that only the half was done that should be.
lie had the means to perfect the unfinished work,
anu was amply endowed with the requisite pubic
spirit and benevoence TO do It. The public know
same magnitude ana on the same plan at cost OF
nearly 100000. lie expended about $4,000 for
books. lie added $4,000 to the fund for manteil
ance and gradual increase OF the library. lie eX
pended nearly $4,000 IN steam heating apparatus
Tor the buildings. Tae grand total Of expenditure
ana money invested has now reached tue magnif-
cent sum of S756,93A 45, making the moneyed con-
tribu,Ions thus far OF William d. Aston nearly equal
TO those OF his father. The probability Is that AIR.
Aston will not stop here. The library now numbers
1879, 900 volumes. and the alcOves Will not admit OF
many more additions. II Is SAID that Mr. Asor
has expressed purpose OF ADDING slill an
other building OF the same size as those
already bulls aud thus providing still further
for the increasing wants OF our rapidly increasing
popuiaton-ior the nine millions Vi people that az
the commencement OF the neXS century viii innablt
Island we must The BE- az me above
one great work OF public Denclcence In which the
subject Q. our sketch has been popularity Identified
and for promoting the interest OF which he has
revealed broad and impcrishable philanthropy.
IL Is already the most valuable library Of reference
In this country. II Is his wish aud aim to mako 1t us
valuable as any In the world.
HIS OFFICE, BUSINESS HABITS AND WEALTH.
A one story building Ia Pince street. just out OF
Broadway, and first floor OF the house adjoining
si.ute the onicc OF Mr.. Aston. Here, aided by only
two or three clerks he transacts all his immense
and remains TN Two NJ lie walks from mn and a, to
his house. lie occupies the rear room. 1t Is plainly
furnished Business Is attended to promptly, lie
knows every inch OF real estate that stands in his
name, every bond contract and lease. by attention
to his business and judcious investments he has
largely increased his fortune. Some estimate 1t at
S5o,oop,0 900. The subject IL one upon which he is
said to be very reticent even to his most intimate
friends.
BEGaARs, BENEvoLENcE AND pLAoKMArLrNa.
Like oil rich men MIR. Aston Is beseged with Deg
gars. II s indispcnsaoly necessary that he should
else all his time would be consumed and estate
squandered IN satisfying their demands. AS for be-
nevolence, there Is no man IN the city who would
gives more. He gives away q fortune every year.
but he gives with discrimination and unostenta
tiOusly. Win all his accumulation OF wealth life
has higher aim TO him.
10 make humanity the minister
OF bounteous Providence
We nave given above some instances revealing the
benevolence Of his character We might mention
his annuity OF 5000 TO DR.. Coegswe Tor 50 many
years the librarian or the Aston Library Ills reen-
ton OF old clerks and employees as long as they can
work, ana then retiring them on pensions, shows
strikingly the Kindness OF his neart. We might
multiply indefinitely instances OF his benevolence.
Attempts TO blackmail Mr.. Aston have been OF
frequent occurrence. The most remarkable was
that made by one signing himself E n. Bassl0rd
who, II viii be remembered, attempted, some twenty
years ago, To eXtort 500, 000 from MIN.
Mr. As,or marfssaE sSsaa5k ush ss Of General Arm
strong, Secretary OF War under President Madison.
She Is highly accomplished lady and a well known |
liberal contributor to pubic and private charities.
They have had six chndfed three sons end three
Of. whom excepting one daughteT,
are still living. Since Is41 they have lived In Lex
lngton avenue. Their summers they spend at their
county seat at Bariytown. Mr.. Aston shows very
little the marks OF his age. He stands erect as
ever, walks firmly and enjoys excellent health. lie
Inhers tho massive mould OF his father, his promi
nent nose and compact, heavy under jaw. Ills face
Is full and rudy, with slight side whiskers lie IL
4 plain man, dresses plainly and puts on no airs.
he attends st. Barthoomews church. lie Keeps
I've horses. but rarely rides. One OF his sons VIII
pe remembered as having served with distinction on
iencral McClean'a Glaff during the war. Inc