The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1876-01-05

trade which John Jacob Aston had purchased the
site upon his dwelling in Broadway was built. and
in 1885 he built the Astor house on it. and trans
ferred the whole property to his son. Soon after
ward be gave him the residence in Lafayette
place. adjoining the Astor Library.
In ls4s John Jacob Astor died at the age of
SO or "a years, leaving an estate valued at up
ward Of $50 100000.
THE GREAT LIBRARY.
The institution with which William B. Astor's
name is popularity identified is the Astor Library.
The original fund for founding it was 100000,
of which 100000 was for the site, building. and
purchase OF books, aud SlSOO0O was to be used
from time to time TO increase the Library. The
remainder was TO constitute q reserve fund.
Since the institu ton founded upwards OF
100000 has been expended on it, and William
b. Astor, out of his private funds, gnve Mr. Cogs-
well former Librarian, an annuity of $4,000.
The first gift made in 1882 when the first
building was furnished. Afterward Mr.. Asior
gave the Trustees site $50 feet deep by 80 wide,
upon which a second aud better building was
erected. In 1866 he gave the Library $50 600,
Of which $4,000 was invested in books. Among
the original Trustees of the Library were William
B. Aston Washington Irving, Joseph Z. Cogs-
WE'LL and Fitz-Greene Halleck.
Mr.. Aston was much more liberal man than
was generally supposed, but he gave uuostenta-
tously, and many of the charities benefited by
his benefactions never knew the giver Of the
most liberal gifts.
REcoLLECTIoys OF AsToR.
William b. Astor lived for long time in La
fayette place, in a mansion adjoining the AstOr
Library. lie owned 5000 houses and building
lots 10 this city, the total value Of which was re-
Gently estimated at Sl50000,0O0.
Mr.. Astor had more improved real estate than
any four men 10 the city, excluding William
Rhinelander, The Goelets, A. T. Stewart aud the
Beekmans Most of the large tenement houses
around Tompkins square and along First avenue
aud Avenues A and b belong TO the Astor es-
tate as also do whole blocks in Sixth avenue, from
Sixteenth street to Fortieth street. The old
Bowery Theatre and the old Park Theatre were
on his land. He was ready 10 buy real estate
where he could get it cheap. 1t was his rule
never to sell any Of his houses or lots. He leased
the most of his lots for twenty-one years, with
the stipulation that the lessee should build on
them. On the expiration of the leases the build
ings reverted to him with the lots. The Astor
House was the only instance in which he ever
parted with his real estate. For some unexplained
reason he sold this place to his son John Jacob,
for 81.
SELF
None Of William B. Astor's property was in
sured He believed like Mr.. Stewart that the
cost OF insurance would be greater then his loss
es. The terms of bis fathers will prohibited the
building of brownsto houses. as they were too
extravagant. He strictly abided by this rule,
and the brown-stone houses that he owned he
bought from others, as they reverted to him on
the expiration of leases. The most of the resi-
dences that he built on Madison and Fifth ave-
nues and 1'hrty-lhrd and Thirty-fourth streets in
recent years were of Nova Scotia free stone OF
brick with stone trimmings. Mr.. Astor attended
personally 10 the rental of his real estate and was
assisted by his sons and ugents, Mr.. Hallock aud
Mr. Bruce. His Office was OF No. Sc Prince
street, and he went to the Office every day until
very recently. He retired Mr.. Bruce on pen
sion.
In 1870 Mr.. Aston paid two million dollars
taxes on his houses and lots. Among the places
that he owned outside of New York is Green
Bay, Wis.
THE AsToR FAMILY.
Mr.. Astor never held public Office. His
whole life was spent in the management of his
fortune. He leaves three sons, John Jacob.
William b. and Henry. Neither of them has
any business pursuit.
Henry, the youngest son, inherited the estate
of his uncle. John Jacob, six years ago. He mar
ried the daughter of poor farmer in barrytown,
Dutchess county, against the wishes of his reIa-
tives. Since his marriage he has retired to
place near Hudson, and he rarely comes to the
city. although the most Of his property is here.
The Aston estate decends to John jacob, the
eldest son of William b. He is about 60 years
old, and has one son, William.
1t has been the custom in the Astor family for
the generations to deposit 100000 in bank at
the birth of son or daughter. the money and
the interest to be given to the child when he or
she became Of age.
Mr. William b. Astor had three daughters,
the eldest of whom was the first wife Of Sam
Ward Another was the wife OF Frank DeIaao,
of Grinne, MiDturn & Co., and the third is
married to Mr.. John Carey. The Hon. John
Winthrop Chaner married one of his grand
daughters.