Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1884-03-27
Sixty Millions.
JOHN JACOB AsToR's WEALTH.
THE THIRD RICHEST MAN N THE COUNTRY.
New York Morning Journal.

New York Morning Journal.
The third richest man in the Union i.
John Jacob Astor, the chief owner and heil
OF the Astor estate. Unlike many million
aires Astor has both name and riches-a
name linked with fabulous wealth for three
succeeding generations. The estimated val.
ue OF the Astor estate is from $4,000, 200
to Sl00.OOO,OO0, veritable mountain OF
gold. John Jacob and William b. are its
sole owners, the formers interest said to be
two-thirds.
| For nearly q century the title of being
'the landlords of New York" has attached
itself to them. John Jacobs interest in
houses, lots, and farms may be computed in
the thousands. Among the valuable build
lngs principally owned BY MIR. As,or as chief
heir to the estate is the old landmark, the
astor house, which was sold to his father
by his grandfather, the founder of the i'm
merse estate. for 81. Its present value is
said to be S2,0O0,0O0, being assessed at
81, 100000. The Guarantee and Indemnity
building, chiefly owned BY Mr.. Astor, was
purchased short time ago for 81. 900. 900,
while the Astor estate pays taxes on $50
100000 of real estate situated below Chan
bers street, most OF which consists of busi
ness houses on Broadway and Wall streets.
There is scarcely ward, street or avenue in
the city in which Mr.. Astor does not own
real estate, on which the total amount of
taxes is over 100000 annually.
Another point of difference between Mr.
Astor and other milionaires is in his invest
ments In Wall street his name never ap-
pears as speculator and seldom as an in
vestor or seller of stock, bonds or other sim
liar securities. Having an income of 10 per
cent. on the gross amount invested in real
estate, he quietly buys more houses or lands
when opportunity for good investment
offers. In an Inventory made of his various
properties an item of $4,000, 900 in cash ap-
peared as money in trust companies and
banks awaiting investment in real estate"
Mr.. Astor Is man Of striking personal
appearance, being over six feet in height,
stout, somewhat inclined to corpulence and
straight as an arrow. When on the street
ms quick, elastic step and smiling face.
tringed with small gray side whiskers. inya-
riaoly attract attention. His dress is sim.
PIE and surprisingly neat. At business or
IN the street he wears broadcloth cut-away
or irock coat with trousers 10 match, com
Portable looking shoes always lightly polish.
ed. while IN his hand usually swings as he
walks large purple silk umbrella. la sum-
ner his costume is changed 10 a black serge
coat and trousers or some lighter color,
while an easy straw nat rests lightly on hi,
i'ory-ahite hair
Mr. Asior, though seldom speaking of
recently told friend that although
ne mad completed threescore years, he felt
as we'll anu hearty as he did at 40 Btncv.
olence IS his striking characteristic, one
probably inherited from the founder Of the
AStor Library Many OF hi. charities are
published, though the actual amount Of
good done with his ever-reads check book
IS little known. In nearly all the charitable
institution, 'f ms CITY the name. Of himself
and wife, a ten jointly appear as large
;Ner' Daring the winter months Mr.
Astor i either at his office at No. II West
wentl sixth street, or has hone at No. :i3s
Fifth avenue. The latter IS familiar to near
y every resident Of Fifth avenue. and is con-
plcuouS for nothing but It's panness and
he spacious grounds which surround il. II
: built of fine moulded brick, win trim
ningS OF browu-stonc and has 4 double STAR
way leading to the front entrance. The IN
error compares fa'orahly With any palace
paF'hE lhe late illness Of ms wife Mr.
ls'orS time was chiefly devoted to cheering
Ter weary hours at the bedside with the
ame untsriug affection he has shown
throughout the many years of his married
lie. His prlncipa. recreation, are visits to
rs elegant country seat at RheineclfFr on
he-Hudson and Yachting The county
Eat Is an ancgentiooklng establishment,
ept in the fines; order. and IS a remini,
euce Of oidcn time Wei shaded NTH
lonth,. Mr. Astor sit, on the cool plazz, or
nLer some shady tree and reads. He IS
a,ng built one Of the finest pleasure yachts
ct launched IN the waters Of thI, country,
he cos, Of which Is placed a. trIhe over
200 900. 1t viii he completed early IN Ia"
umIug summer.