The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-05-03
John Jacob Astor.
New York Morning Herald.l

many mliilonaires, Astor has botl
name and.riehes.-a name linked witt
fabulous wealth for three succeeding
generations. The estimated value o
the Astor estate is from 800, ,O0O, 900 tc
500, ,0GO,OU0, a yeritable mountain OF
gold. John Jacob and William b
are its sole owners. the formers in
terest said to be two-thirds.
For nearly aseentury the title ofbe.
ing ,ule landlords of New York" has
attached Itself 10 them. John Jacobs
interests'in houses. lots and farms
nay be bse0mputed in the thousands.
AAgseng the valuable buildings
/ s7sioilaisy owned by Mr.. Astor ak
chief heh to the estate is the old
landmark, the Astor house, which
was sold to his father by his grant
father, the founder of the immense
estate, for 81. Its present value is
said to be $1,000 900, being asses. ed
at S1,750,00Q. The Guarantee and In.
demnity building, chiefly owned by
Mr.. Astor, was purchased short
time ago for 81 ,000,0 200, while the AS
tor estate pays taxes on $50, ,000,00 of
real estate situated below Chambers
street, most of which consists of bus
mess houses on Broadway and Wall
street. The is scarcely a ward, street
or avenue in the city in which Mr..
Ast0r does not own real estate, on
which the total amount of taxes is
over $400, 900 annually.
Another point of difference between
Mr.. Astor and other miIionaires is
in his Investments, In Wall street
his name never appears as specuIa
tor and seldom as an investor or sell
er of stocks, bonds or other similar
securities. Having an income ofl0
per cent. on the gross amount invest
ed in real estate, he quietly buys
more houses or lands when 0Dportu-
nifty for good investment offers. In
an inventory made of his various
property an item ofS6. 900, 900 in cash
appeared, as "money in trust com
panies and banks waiting investment
in real estate"
Mr.. AstOr is man of striking per-
sonal appearance, being over six feet
in height, stout, somewhat inclined
to 'rpuience and straight as an ar
row. When on the street his quick
ehstic step and smiling face, fringed
with small, gray side-whiskers, i'll
viriably attract attention. His dress
'issimple and surprisingly neat. At
blSiDesS or on the street he wears "a
b'oadcoth cut away frOck coat. with
pants to match, comfortable looking
shoes always highly polished, while
in his hand usually swings as he
walks large, purple silk umbrella.
In summer hiS'costume is changed to
black serge coat, and pants Of some
lighter color, while an easy straw
hat rests lightly ON his iyory-White
hair.
Mr.. Astor, though seldom speak
ing of himself. recently told friend
that although he had completed
threescore years, he felt as well and
hearty as he did at 40. BenevOlence
is his striking characteristic, on prob
ably inherited from the founders OF
the Astor library. Many of his char
tiles are publised, though the actual
amount of good done with his ever.
ready check book is little known. In
nearly all the charitable institutions
of this city the names of himself Oh
wife. and often jointly, appear as
large giyers. During the wiLte'
months Mr.. Astor is either at his of:
flee at q West Twenty sixth street
or at his home, No. 33S Fifth avenue
The latter is familiar to nearly every
resident of Fifth avenue, and is con
spicuOus for nothing but its plainnes,
and the spacious grounds which sur
round it. 1t is built of fine moulded
brick, with trimmings of brown
stone, and has a double stairway
leading to the front entrance. Th'
interior compares favorably with any
palace.
During the late illness of his wlTe
Mr.. Astor's time was chiefly deyOt
ed to cheering her weary hours a
the bedside with the same untirini
affection he has shown Throughout
the many years of his married life
His principal recreatiOns are visits t
his elegant country seat at Rheine
cliff-0n-the-H Hudson and yachting
The country seat is an ancient-look
ing establishment kept in the fines
order, and is a reminiscence of olde
time. Well shaded with trees
every kind Its immense lawns an
gardens are traversed by long drive
and walks.
Here, in the long days of the sun
mer months. Mr.. Astor sits on th
cool piazza or under some shady TIRE