Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1878-12-07
JOHN JACOB ASTOR.

1861, and admire the SOliu-iOOklng Duliu-
ing called .Astor," extending the whole
front of the ..bIock," can have Very little
idea OF the events that have transpire,l,
and the names that have figured in the
civ history, who resided where the hotel
now -st:ilffts.
Among the most eminent, of course,
was John Jacob Astor. He lived ut NO.
223 Broadway, in a large double house:
lie lived in the house great portion Oh
his life-certainly commenced to i've
there as early rs 1902. 1 think Rufus hing'
the founder of the King family I'D TINS
city built the house and sold IL 10 MI.
Astor.
When Mr.. Astor started in this city he
resided nj No. 40 Little Dock street (now
Water.) He then moved to 149 Broadway.
He kent his store at II Liberty street.
In 1902 he moved his residence to 20
Broadway, and there lived as late as In
1926 when he gave up that house TO MS
son William B.
His neighbors who occupied houses
facing upon Broadway, where the Astor
House now stands, were all prominent
men. think the numbers were 223 to
237, Mr.. Astor, as have said, lived at
223-north OF him. OH the corner OF Bar
clay, was 227. That house Was owned and
occupied by John G. Coster. 1t was the
last property purchased by MIR. AstOr TO
give him all the land he required upon
which to build his cOnLe mplated hotel.
He had purchased all the other portions
at very low prices. Not over SIS, 200 for IA
10. and house OF any price. There was no
chance Of his ever wanting money, or OF
being forced to sell. Mr.. AstOr, while he
was making the purchase of the other
property, had let 10 one into his secret
intentions. FINALLY he went TO MIR. Coster
and told him frankly:'" sOster, am going
TO build an hotel. want the ground up
OH which your house stands. IL Is OF no
particular use to you; you can go up
Broadway, above Canal street anu Dllild a
palace with the money pay you. Now l
wish you 10 name two friends, aud Will
name one. The three shall fix the value
of No. 227. When they have done so add
$4,000 to it, and 1 will give you check
Tor the total amount, and you can give
me the deed OF the property
The proposition. SO fair, and so much
more than Mr.. EOster expected, Was ac-
cepted as once. MIR. Coster Immediately
made his arrangements ~ build tue house
palace it was-No. 5l7 Broadway. There
ne lived until he. died. Then. 1t Was rented
from Canton here. The house was finally
called the Chinese building" and still
stands. portion of it let 10 model artists,
or sumo similar amusement, that would
horriiy the moral and virtuous John,
could he return from the spirit world.
Between the house Ut Mr.. Astor at 223
and vi COster 227, lived 1T No. 225 the
celebrated David Lydig. do not know
10
moved out OF the house preparatory to
its being torn down IN ls2D, 10 No. 81
Laight street, aud there he lived until he
died IN 1910. think his son lives There
yet. HIS IIaIne was Philip.
David Lydig was one OF the bold old
race OF merchants that built up New
York. anu will not pass the Name now
without further mention. lI Is almost
extinct, ana Yet no ~irin" has been more
EOnOreI.
David Lydig must have been an older
mau than j oLn Jacob Aston, for he start
Ell In the Hour business, OH Ills own ac-
csunL, ia 1870, at No. II Peck Slip, and
Ilveu over his store. He afterwards took
d residences ut 90 Bcekmtn; and There he
nv,d Tor many years-in Iict. until 1919
when he moved TO 225 Broadway.
In 1924 old David took into business
his son Phillip, at l60 South street. and
the firm Was Tor many years aILer David
Lydig IL Son.
David Lydig was in every prominent
bank and INSURANCE company tor nearly
half century. lie was prominent
merchant in 1890. and died III 1910. |
believe he had only retired few years
previous 10 his death from active BUSH
ness.
In PIG, old Michael Palf bad his cele-
braled picture gallery. Who among old
New Workers does not remember the
famous "Old Paff?" Were he alive now
ne would be Il worlds wonder. L wish /
had Time to say more OF him.
Aaron Fountain occupied a store in
that block, so did Jonathan Smith. Wag-
staff kept his store in one oil the numbers;
and L cannot recOllect. at the moment,
the other prominent men who lived iii
that celebrated block.
AT the tim.e AR. AsIOr lived last at 223,
the firm was John Jacob Astor Il Don,
and also the American Fur Company.
That office was at Vestry, and extend
ed back, 50 that the rear wall was on a
line with the north side OF MIR. AstOr's
dwelling at 223 Broadway. Williams
lived at IL State street.
In the war, and many years after, Mr..
AstOr had his store at 50 Pine street, cor
her of Pearl street.
At IA, Broadway, he could walk from
his yard into his store. There was an
open piazZi, supported by pillars and
arches, where he frequently sat or an at
t. rnoon, after he had had his dinner, at
three o'clock. He would play three
games OF checkers, and no more, and
drink glass of beer. He did not drink
anything else i'm his working days.
Those who suppose MIR. Astor had an
easy time in money matters are greatly
mistaken. He has often paid old Prime
in Wall street, very large interest and
large commission TO get long paper dis
counted. DE (Astor) loved TO tell anec-
dotes connected with his early difficult
ties. One was about bargain he made
with bis brother Henry, when the latter
was much better off than his brother
John; for Henry was owner of a butcher
stall NO.-in the commencement of this
century. Henry then lived at 81 BOwery
Lane.
John, in his financial difficulties, FREE
quently went to Henry for loan or for
AN endorsement. This was a source of
annoyance to Henry. who did not like to
borrow or lend to anybody. On one oc-
sion John wanted two hundred dollars
very badly. He went to Henry and
asked him to lend him that sum.
John. l will give you one hundred
dollars if you will agree never to ask me
to loan you any money, endorse note
or sign bond for you, or be obligated
for you in any manner whatever"
John says he hesitated for moment,
rapidly passed the proposition through
his mind, for 500 was 800 in those