The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1875-12-02
DEATH OF WILLIAM B. ASTON
il VERY RICH NAN.

The death of VIM. b. Actor, of New
York, one of the wealthiest men in the
United States, took place il New York
on tn oath. He was the eldest son of
the late JoHN JACOB Aston, the old Ger
man millionaire OF New York, who
founded tie great 1istor library. The
following sketch OF his life IS given i'll a
New York dispatch to the I'jHtcs:
VIM, Z. A3tor, the eldas. son Of the
celebrated John Jacob Aston, was one of
the wealtniest holders OF real estate
upon the continent, and was well known
besides for his many gifts tc New York
city and it's charities. His death was
net entirely unexpected by his family,
rs his great age (he was in his S4th Year,
led them to the belief that it might oc-
car at any time, although he appeared
in robust health. He was at his Office
on last Saturday.
He was born at No. 149 Broadway,
in March, 1874. Appended to the name
Of John Jacob Astor, his father, i'll the
New York directory, were these words ::
"Furrier, 149 Broadway" VIM. b.
Astor's earliest remembrances were
connected with his fathers store. He
early learned to assert the frr5, and help
ed to beat them and free them from
moths. While the father was smoking
his pipe and playing checkers and drink
ing beer and occasionally going to the
theatre, his fortune was rapidly accumu-
lating. No special pains were taken
with William S earliest education. With
other boys of his age he went to the
pubEc.school. Finally his father, seeing
the growing expansion Of his business
and wealth, and particularly after he
had begun sending his furs to China and
bringing back cargoes of teas-on single
cargces of which he often realized a
handsome MISUNDERSTANDING to give
him thorough education, such as would
fit him for his future position, and carry
on the gigantic business SO rapidly
swelling to colossal proportions. Shortly
after the father sent him to Heidelberg
university, in Germany, where he re-
manned several years, acquitting himself
with marked honors lis his studies, and
likewise III song singing and sword
exercise. His university studies finish
ed, he made what was then called the
grand tour ''all over Europe" Will
liam B. Astor's tuition, upon his return
to his home, was long and thorough
one He learned his fathers business
and advanced with him by the stepping
stones to fortune AS the infirmitles of
age grew upon his father, the son took
main charge Of the business. Mean
time he had quite an independent prop
erty Of his own. His uncle, Henry
Astcr, had died, leaving him half a
million of dollars. This he invested,
and in 1885 John j. built the Astor
House, and transferred it to his son for
dollar. His father soon also gave him,
several years before his death, his resi-
dence in Lafayette place, now restau-
rant, adjoining the Astor library,
VIM. 3. Astor's father died about SO
years ago. His estate was estimated at
$40. Goo, 600. His will covered five col
ulnns OF the newspapers, and in it he in
Dictated the disposition Of his vast wealth.
William B., who has just died, being
his principsl legatee, he WAS then the
richest man on the continent. The first
thing that Mr.. Astor did upon succeed
ing to his colossal Inheritance, was to
carry out the bequests Of his father.
He sent one Of his own sons to Waldorf.
in Germany, his fathers birthplace, to
attend personally to the disposition of
the funds assigned for bestowal there.
He also distributed $4,000 in charity,
Wy Lio 1fsui'Oi' Lie ociuSStS
amounted to 1000, 600, and the rest fell
to him. The original fund for founding
the Astor library was $500, 600, of which
800, 900 was to be expended in the site
aud building and i'll the purchae of
books, and $3.50, 600 to be invested as a
fund to increase the library. 1t was a
noble bequest, and the public appreciat-
ed it as such. The amount expended
| up TO the present moment on this library
has been about $780, 900. The son
donated valuable piece of ground for
its enlargement in 1856, and $50, 900 for
the purchase of books in 1856. He also
gave an annuity Of S., GOO per.annum to D.
CoggsweIi, former librarian of the Aston
| library. William B. Aston is reputed to
have owned 5000 houses in New York
city alone, and his fortune is estimated
at $50, 900, 900, but on this subject he
was always very reticent. His chief in.
come was from his rentals. Mr.. Aston
married a daughter Of Gen. Armstrong,
! Secretary OF War, and had six children
. by her, five of whom are hving-three
sons and two daughters. Since 1Si'
| the family have lived Oh LeSi-,eten
I Avenue, New York Their SIMMER,
were spent at Rhinebeck., near Tarrvto wn
on the Hudson. One Of his sons served
with distinction on Gen. Mcclellan
staff during the war. The brothers have
an e.fice ON Wall street, and live Oh
Fifth Avenue in princely style.
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