The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1875-12-09

Some of the PecuIiarities of the American
n Crnsus-The Family He Left to Mourn
Him. Iet 80 ~ Hfa'd iHho-
n. Cor. Hartford Times. -ut. .,
-e VIM. B. Astor's personal character
has often been briefly sketched. He
was not large minded man. It, was
but rarely that hi. thoughts went out
side the limits Of his own" Interests.
He gave close personal attention to
the management of his great estate,
and this occupied nearly all his time.
The poorest man in New York could
not be more particular as to dimes and
cents than he was. He vigorously ex-
acted all that was due to him, and he
paid all that he owed. If mechnic
presented a bill for $500 %, he receiv-
ed lust that amount. If another man
owed $4,000 Oh, he had to pay the
three cents with the $2O,0UO. Last
summer legal firm sent him notice OF
readiness to take upa $4,000 mort
gage which he held, and appointed the
day. 1t was Friday. The money
was sent TO his Office that day, but
Mr.. Astor was absent AND his agent
would not receive it. Mr.. Astor was
ont of town and would be back on
Monday. By putting off the settle
ment until Monday he gained two
days interest on $4,000. Ncverthe-
less he was not so close man as he
has often been represented. There
was good deal of generosity in his
nature. His father bequeathed S4OO,-
900 to establish the AstOr Library.
The son expended on that institution
oyer 100000 more. lie increased the
annuity of FitZ Green Halleck, who
had been clerk in the elder Astors
office, from $500 TO 81 800. His name
appeared occasionally on charity sub
scription lists, and he sometimes gave
money without his name. For many
years be was almost run down by poor
Germans claiming relationship and
asking aid, but he made 1t rule to re-
fuse all applications of this KIND. No
doubt most of the petitioners Tor
bounty were impostors. On one oc-
casion an Irishman, rather seedy, but
very fluent, obtained entrance TO the
house, in Latayet Place, and request
ed an audience. He insisted that he
was related to Mr.. Astor, and had
known him very we'll i'll the old coun-
try. But his eloquent importantly
was thrown away. A threat to hand
him over to the police finally induced
him to leave the house, but he thought
it very hard that Astor would not help
a cousin and an old neighbOr.
THE AsToR FAMILY.
John Jacob Astor left two sons
William b. and John Jacob, jun. The
latter was an imbecile from early man
hood, and died six years ago. He had
also three daughters-Dorothe who
married Mr.. Langdon, Eliza, who be-
came Mrs. Rumplt, and Catherine, the
mother of the late Charles AstOr Brist-
ed. VIM, Il. Astor, however, Inherit
ed nearly all The property. He leaves
three soms-JO ohm Jacob, William B.,
and Henry. The latter married a
poor country girl, against the family
wishes, but as he Inherited the prop
erty of his imbebile uncle, John
Jacob, hisscircumstances are comfor-
table enough. The other two sons as
sisted their father in managing the es-
tate, and most Of it will probably re-
main in their hands. Both are now
gray haired men.. They have the AS
tor characteristic of closeness, ,and will
doubtless Keep the vast property ln-
tact. There were three daughters, all
married good many years ago. Still.
the family connectlonilsn not very large.
John Winthrop Chanlcr, who repre-
sented a New York City district in
Congress couple of terms, married
one of VIM. b.. Astor's grand -daugi-'
tiers. The training of the sons was
decidedly severe. After John Jacobs
marriage, he purchased Il country seat
up the Hudson. His father insisted
that he should be at the office inPrince
street by nine o'clock every morning.
He was in the habit of going to his
country home on Saturday afternoons.
and. in order to be back at the office
by nine on Monday morning, he was
obliged to return on Sunday evening.
The father would not relax his rule,
and the end of it was that John Jacob
had to sell his country place and make
his home in the city. Mr.. Astor was
member of the Episcopal Church,
and usually attended service in Grace
Church. A short time before his
death, which came from sudden
bronchial attack, developing in pn,u
monia, he received communion from
the Rev. DR.. Hou2hton, of the Little
Church Around the Corner" lie Was
at his office and in his usual health as
late as Saturday last.