The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-11-17
OUR YoUNG MTLLIoNATREs.
william Waldorf Artov.

| william Waldorf Artov.
When about one hundred years ago John
Jacob Aston at the age Of sixteen, left his native
village, Waldorf, near Heidelberg, in the Duchy
| Of Baden, with his baggage slung over his shout
der and wandered forth, strange countries fol
! To see,' he little thought that he should found
in the New World one Of the great fortunes
Of modern times. He came to this country in
1881, Just after the signing ~ the treaty Of peace
10y which Great Britain acknowledged the indie
pendence Of these United States. established
himself In New York. engaged successfully I'm
| commerce, bought real estate, increased In
| worldly possessions with the growth of the
CITY, TIL finally the name Of Astor became synon-
ymous with wealth throughout the length and
,ne pIeauth OF the land. His son, the late Will
liam u. Aston, who died last fall was proba-
ably at the time ~ his death the richest man on
this continent. If not the richest man I'm the
| world. lie left the great bulk OF his fortune to
his two sons. John Jacob, who resides ON the
northwest corner of.Fifth avenue and Thirty
third street and william, who resides ON the
southwest corner Of Thirty-fourth street and
Fifth avenue. John Jacob has an only son and
child William Waldorf Astor-now about TWEEN
ty-eght years old, who will in the natural course
OF events, II he lives, be the richest man In New
York The immense accumuations Of the Aston
estate, the steady improvement Of unproductive
property, bv the erection Of dwellings and stores
and the constant appreciation of uptown vacant
lots with the growth of the city, makes II inn
possible To hazard an opinion concerning the
probable amount of the fortune which Mr.. will
liam Waldorf Aston will DO eventually called
upon to administer. Though this coming mil
lionaire inherts much Of the business talent Of
the founder Of the family. he does not in per.
sonal appearance at all resemble the Astors, but
takes rather after his mothers family
Mrs. John Jacob Aston was Miss Gibbs. q
daughter Of the late Tom Gibbs. who resided
durngthe latter years OF his life on the west side
OF the Fifth avenue, in the second house north
OF sixteenth street, now occupied 10y Knabe X
Co. as piano warehouse His brother, Morgan
Gibbs, lived In the corner house adjoining. They
came from Charleston. :. C.. early IN life and
both married Northern ladies. The subject Of
this sketch bears strong resemblance to his
grandfather Gibbs.
William Waldorf Aston early developed a taste
for art and study. While abroad he cultivated
sculpture. worked hard under some Of the best
modern masters, and achieved very considerable
success. Had he not been born a millionaire. he
would most undoubtedly have made himself
name rs sculptor. He Is fond Of all athletic
sports. Is a good boxer. and excels ut fencing
While moderately fond of horses, he has OF late
developed strong taste for yachting His
yacht. the Atalanta, won the Loubat Cup In the
outside race this fall. Young Aston il, however,
more Of man Of business than man Of pleas
ure, and in this respect he is a thorough Aston.
He studied law in the Office OF Lord, Day &
Lord was admitted to the bar some two years
ago. and is still with that nrn, which transacts a
very considerable portion Of the law business
arising from and connected with the Aston
estate. When in town. young Mr.. Aston is very
regularly to he seen vending his way down to
the " Office every week day at about $3.50 A. NJ
Most frequently he stops at the ONCE Of the
Aston estate, on the north side OF Prince street,
just west Of broadway. makes "A short halt and
then repairs to hi, own place Of business. lie Is
not much Of a club man. though belonging to
our principal uptown clubs. Though not a
dancing man, he goes very faithfully into general
society during the gay season. This past sum-
mer, at Newport. he was much gayer than usual,
aud drove all the bellies out In turn in his dog
cart. In appearance. Mr.. Aston is tall, slightly
built, distinguished looking I'm manner, gesture
and walk he quite reminds one Of the young
Prussian officer Of the present day-correct In
department, reserved to degree, courteous and
polite to everybody. In word, William Waldorf
Aston, when compared with the general run OF our
rich youths, is justly entitled TO be considered
n model young millionaire. Everything he does
Is fitting, proper and decorous.
There are three questions in connection with
Mr.. Astur which agtate society," and deeply ill.,
terest all mammas with marriageable daughters ::
why doesn't he marry? when will he marry
Whom will he marry lie will. no doubt, to use
the language of candidates for office, answer all
these questions at such fitting time and place as
may best suit his convenience. That he will
finally settle down soberly and seriously. like his
| father and his GRANDPA her before him, to the
| tas,, II administering the vast interests Of the
| A-tor estate and that he will pass the greater
| part of his futur, lie IN that hans-ing occupa-
| tinn, i in the natural order of things.